The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is the purpose of journeys outlined in popular fiction? What examples of journeys do you consider to be the most transformative? What effects might journeys have on characters?

Teaching Suggestion: Edward Tulane, the novel’s protagonist, is a loveless and sentient toy rabbit. Edward is primarily concerned with his appearance and does not love those around him. The transformation of Edward’s character takes place on his miraculous journey where he learns to love. Consider discussing character journeys and the impact they have on character growth and how they are used in popular fiction. Then use the resources to further explore the hero’s journey. Consider creating a chart to compare popular journeys with Edward’s journey for students to reference and update as they read the novel. Consider using the article as an outline for the anchor chart.

• This 6-minute video explores what a hero’s journey is and how it is used in popular fiction.
• This article explores the highlights of a typical hero’s journey in fiction.

Short Activity

Look at images or objects that appear in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Make predictions as to how these objects may have an impact on Edward’s journey.

Teaching Suggestion: Throughout his journey, Edward interacts with many different people, places, and objects. Consider using the bulleted list to create a collection of items that are in the novel. It may be useful to provide chart paper near the items where students can rotate around the room in a gallery walk and record predictions about the items and how they might be important to the plot of the novel. These charts can be updated as students develop a better understanding of the symbols in the novel.

• Toys
• Pocket watch
• Bunny rabbit
• A broken heart
• An antique doll
• A dog
• A fisherman’s net
• A garbage dump
• The ocean
• A scarecrow
• Stars

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may find it useful to explore a popular hero’s journey story to identify the elements of the journey. Consider asking the student to create a poster for others to reference as they analyze Edward’s personal journey.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Have you ever had a favorite toy or object that was important to you? How did it make you feel? Why is the object or toy significant to you? What feelings might you have if the object was lost?

Teaching Suggestion: Edward is the cherished toy rabbit of a wealthy girl named Abilene. Edward is a sentient character on the inside but is like a toy rabbit on the outside (unable to move or speak). Abilene dotes on Edward, but Edward does not feel any love toward Abilene. Consider discussing important objects or toys students may have had in their past/present and why those items were/are important to them.