Jump at the Sun
by Alicia D. Williams
Zora was a girl who loved stories. Her mom always told her that if she wanted something “to jump at de sun” because even though you might not land quite that high at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place. Everywhere she jumped she shined sunlight on the tales most people hadn't bothered to listen to until Zora.
Reading Tips for Story Explorers
Find a comfortable space to read together
Slow down and enjoy the illustrations
Ask and answer questions together
Make reading part of your routine - bedtime is a great time for reading
Use these prompts to encourage deeper thinking with your children:
"Tell me more, why do you think that?"
"How do you know that?"
"Interesting, did you notice anything else?"
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The last word in the title, “Sun,” ends with the letter Nn. This letter says /n/, like nurse and new. Point to the letter and say the sound together: /n/, /n/, /n/. Brainstorm other words that end with the sound /n/ and rhyme with “sun” with your child (fun, pun, bun).
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
Characters: A person in a story, novel or play
Clung: To hold on tightly
Mourn: To feel or express grief or sorrow
Miserable: Being in a state of distress or unhappiness
Graduated: To receive an academic degree or diploma
Tarrying: To delay or be tardy in acting or doing
Questions to Discuss
Who was Zora Neale Hurston? What is she known for?
As a child, Zora loved to listen to and create her own fantastical tales. Where were some of the places where she gathered these stories?
Zora loved writing stories, but her papa and grandma didn't approve. Who supported Zora and her storytelling during her childhood?
As Zora continued to attend school and participate in different literacy clubs, she met and wrote alongside a number of famous Black poets, writers, and thinkers. Can you name some of the people whom Zora worked with? What else would you like to know about them?
After hearing the story of Zora's life an the many challenges that she overcame, what would you say is the message of this book?
Let's Play
This activity will help your child make connections to the text, which helps children improve comprehension.
The end pages include illustrations of fabulous hats. People who make hats and love hats believe that a good hat tells a story about the person who wears it.
How do these hats represent the many hats Zora wore throughout her life and career? What stories could her hats tell?
Design a hat that represents you, who you are, and the things that are important to you.
