Shadow of a Bull
By Maia Wojciechowska
Published by Atheneum Books
Copyright 1964

Accelerated Reader: 5.5

Suggested Delivery: Small Group Reading

THRILLING, ELABORATE, ELECTRIFYING, CULTURAL, EYE-OPENING

This classic, written by Maia Wojciechowska, takes place in the city of Archangel Spain where bull fighting is a favored sport.  Juan Olivar, Spain’s most renowned matador, is killed by a bull, leaving his three year old son Manolo only a distant memory of his father.  Growing up in his shadow, Manolo is expected to fight a bull at the early age of twelve, just like his very own father did.  Manolo is projected to become the next best bullfighter and have the heart of a matador.  The only thing is, is Manolo does not have the courage that his father had and secretly dreads becoming a bull fighter.  After witnessing a matador being gouged by a bull’s horn, Manolo finds his calling and hopes to become a doctor.  However, Manolo’s friend Juan is very interested in becoming a fighter so Manolo trains him in secret.  In the end, Manolo cannot kill the bull he was set out to fight and gives the ring to Juan, who lives up to his dream while Manolo lives up to his own.  The same doctor Manolo encountered while he witnessed the goring offers Manolo an apprenticeship. 

Shadow of a Bull Trailer

This book trailer, to be played before reading the novel, will introduce the novel in a fun and exciting way.  While listening to a Spanish melody, the trailer will view Spain and its culture, and lead into the exciting details of Shadow of a Bull leaving the students intrigued and interested in reading the book. 

Post-Novel Quiz

Students will be answering multiple choice questions from information they’ve acquired after reading the novel.  Moving through all the questions, you will test your knowledge of Spanish bullfighting and other cultural aspects. 

VOCAB: Gored, Amputation, Pamphlets, Feebly, Listlessly, Infirmary

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book in social studies to explore foreign countries such as Spain and learn how their lifestyles differ from those in America.

-Use this book as an introduction to sports in other countries and further promote exercise in your student’s day to day lives.

-Use this book in language arts as an example of inferential comprehension.  Discuss themes that are present besides the obvious. 

Before: Before reading the novel, have students create prior knowledge by having reading newspaper or magazine articles that relate to content within the book.  Several Spanish magazines have matador articles, photocopy them, have students read them and then discuss what they have read. 

During: Provide students with a blank notecard to use as a bookmark for every chapter.  Have them write questions or comments they have as they read.  In class, this will provide plenty of material for discussions and clarifications in case students are left puzzled by what they are reading.

After: Students will be asked to design a new cover for the novel!  This is a fun way for teachers to assess what students think are the most important parts of the book.  Like all books, a synopsis must be included either on the back or inside cover. 

Writing: This activity may integrate social studies.  Because this story is based in Spain, many cultural differences are evident.  Have students write as the main character taking a trip to America for the first time.  What do you notice is different?  What do you notice about American sports?  What is the same?  Do you like it here?