Definition:

To be hopeful means to believe that something good can happen, even when it doesn’t look like it, or when it turns out differently than expected.

In short:

Believe that something good can happen.

Summary:
The subtitle of this book is “The story of the Watts Towers.” The narrator tells the story of Simon Rodia, nicknamed “Uncle Sam”,  an eccentric Italian man who collected bits and pieces of tiles, glass, and metals and other junk in the neighborhood in Southern California. He created towers next to the train track with these materials. When he was asked why he wanted to do this, he said he wanted to create “Something Big,” (which is the name of this colorful and historical national landmark). He is remembered as a “man of genius… who built a gigantic flower of folk art.” 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students research this national landmark, easily found on the internet. Teacher leads a discussion about why people were inspired to make this a national landmark. 
2. Students can do an art project of creating a work of art with junk, reflecting on how difficult it must have been for this man to make these towers. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Why do you think the author wanted to tell this story?
2. Describe the neighborhood in Watts where the towers were built. 
3. What are some of the materials that were collected and used to make the tower? 
4. “Some people called him crazy. But he wasn’t. He was a magician.” What do you think and why? 
5. What process did he use to create the towers? 
6. What did he experience in his childhood that made him want to create the towers? 
7. What if you had all the materials and help you needed to create something big, what would you make? 
8. Have you ever made something that you really liked? If so, describe it.  
9. Artists like Simon Rodia like to make the world more beautiful through their creations. Share about an artist you admire and why you like their work. 
10. Are there any murals on buildings in the place where you live? If so, describe one of them.