Definition:

A friend is someone you like spending time with because they make you feel happy and special, and help you when you need it. 

In short:

Build bonds that last forever.

Summary:
“Jenny Mei is sad but she knows I’m here for fun and not fun and everything in between. Because that’s what friends are for.” Readers never find out why Jenny Mei is sad. But the most important message of this story is about how to be a friend, in good times and not so good times, too. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students apply what they learn about empathy towards someone who is sad in their relationships with their classmates and family members. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Jenny Mei is usually fun to be with - what are some things her classmates like about her? 
2. Why did Jenny Mei get into trouble at school? 
3. What did Jenny Mei and her friend do after school? 
4. How did Jenny Mei’s teacher help her? 
5. The author doesn’t say why Jenny Mai is so sad. What are some guesses why Jenny Mai might be so sad?
6. “Being sad is hard.” What do you think is hard about being sad? 
7. Does it help to have a friend with you when you’re sad? 
8. If you have a friend who is sad, what can you do to help them?
9. When you feel sad, what do you do to feel better? 
10. Would you like to have a friend like Jenny Mei has in this story? Why?