Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Genie’s Ideas About Being a Man”

After reading about the competing ideals of masculinity in As Brave as You, students demonstrate their understanding of Genie’s character growth in this area by drawing “before” and “after” portraits of Genie.

One of the important ways that Genie changes during this novel is in the way he understands what it means to be a man. In this activity, you will draw two side-by-side portraits of Genie that depict this change.

Think About It

1. At the beginning of the novel, what does Genie think makes a man “manly”? How do you know? What details can you use to show these ideas in a drawing?

2. At the end of the novel, what does Genie think makes a man “manly”? How do you know? What details can you use to show these ideas in a drawing?

Draw It

1. Divide a sheet of paper in half.

2. On the left half, draw a picture of Genie that shows the kind of man he hopes to become at the beginning of the novel.

3. On the right half, draw a picture of Genie that shows the kind of man he hopes to become after his ideas have changed.