Caterpillar Summer

Not only Cat and Henry’s nicknames, “Caterpillar” and “Chicken” are the title characters in Mom’s children’s book series. What connotations does each animal carry with it? In what ways are these traits representative (or not) of the real Cat and Chicken? What animal would best represent you and why?

How is the setting of Gingerbread Island important to the novel’s conflict? How would the novel be different if things had gone as planned and Cat and Chicken spent three weeks with Rishi’s family in Atlanta?

While Lily is warm and inviting to Cat and Chicken when they arrive and throughout their visit, Macon, on the other hand, is distant and reluctant to interact with either of them. Why might this be? Trace the changes that occur in Macon. What causes him to change his mind about Cat and Chicken? 

Cat often recalls memories of her late father. Based on these memories, and on details other characters offer about him, how would you characterize Cat and Chicken’s father? What role does he play in the novel?

In Chapter 2, Cat tells Mom that the lights on the Golden Gate Bridge have been turned on that night. Mom explains that the lights are always on, they are just not always visible because of the fog (18). In what way is fog an appropriate metaphor for the conflicts in the novel? In what ways is the fog “lifted” in the novel’s conclusion?

Though it is not directly stated, Cat and Chicken are biracial. What clues does the author provide to convey this? What role do racial differences play in the novel?

The novel is filled with characters who apologize for their behavior, words, or beliefs, including Harriet, John Harvey, Macon, and Mom. Choose one or two of these instances and asses what makes the apology difficult for the character. What is changed or improved because of the apology, and how is the apology important or impactful to other characters?

In the novel’s final chapters, Mom vows to help lessen Cat’s responsibility for Chicken’s care and not to call Cat by the nickname “Caterpillar” anymore. Given these and other changes that will take place in the future, write an outline for a new “Caterpillar and Chicken” book with new versions of the characters that reflect the real-life changes.