Enemy Pie

Enemy Pie

By Derek Munson Chronicle Books (2000) ISBN: 100811827782

Enemy Pie, a “Reading Rainbow” book, tells the story of a little boy having the perfect summer until...JEREMY ROSS moved into the neighborhood.The narrator explains that Jeremy Ross lived next door to his best friend, Stanley, took joy in his baseball strikeout, and didn’t invite him to his birthday; Jeremy Ross was the only person not allowed in the young boy’s treehouse. To combat this enemy, the narrator invokes the help of his father.  With his father’s assistance, encouragement and an “Enemy Pie,” this young boy learns that making new friends is easier than keeping enemies.

Quantitative: Lexile Level--AD330L; ATOS--3.2

Qualitative: This book could be shared with elementary school children from grades kindergarten to 5th grade. This books displays a great example of how children can learn how to become friends. It also highlights the value in having an open relationship with one’s parents. Beyond the focus on friendships and relationships with parents, Enemy Pie underscores the power of food and how it brings people of all ages together.

Content Area: English; Health--Relationships; Food Science

Common Core Standards: RL.3.1-3; 7

Curriculum Suggestions: As mentioned in one of the writing prompts listed below, students could create a recipe for a healthy friendship. Additionally, students could look at pie recipes. This could be a fun, interesting way to incorporate a new form of informational texts into the classroom. Student could even ask their family and loved ones for a recipe that especially brings people together or a recipe that makes their guests feel appreciated and loved. It could be a way to address other cultures and the friendships that form despite the differences we see in one another.

Additional/Digital Content:

• Official Enemy Pie Website--http://enemypie.com/blog1/

• How to Make Enemy Pie--

http://derekmunson.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/for-teachers-how-to-make-enemy-pie/

• Reading of Enemy Pie--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_I9NgXKtC8

• Writing Prompts--

http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/2011/10/enemy-pie-friendship-writing-activities.html

Personal Thoughts: One aspect of the book that struck me was the absence of the mother. Typically, books portray mothers as the cooks and bakers, but Enemy Pie puts the father in those roles. The father is the counselor and advocate for building friendships--the advocate of peace rather than aggression. This book connects to students that come from single-parent homes or may even have a stay-at-home dad.

*Meets the “Reading for Pleasure Picture Book” requirement