The Hope Bakery

The short story, The Hope Bakery, is a coming of age story. What are the advantages of growing up? What are the disadvantages of growing up and becoming an adult?

Responding to the Story

1. Why do you think Sloane’s father puts the word Hope in a special frame? If you were going to frame one word, what would it be?
   
2. Sloane hates the TV show about the lions, but can’t stop watching it. Have you ever had that experience? Why do you think a person would keep watching something that was disturbing?
   
3. “Sometimes when things go bad, they get deeply rotten before they get better.” How would you express what is going wrong for Sloane?
   
4. When Sloane joined in the search, did you expect him to find his brother? What information in the story shaped your expectations?
   
5. With a partner, discuss the ending of the story. What do you think Sloane means when he agrees that there is “plenty of room”? Is this a good way to end the story? Why or why not?