Hesse introduces several characters besides the Faulstich family, including Geneva, Miss Hamble, and the truant officer. Characterization Juice thinks she's not very smart because she cannot read. Pa is another central character in the book. Discuss how different family members feel about reading. Most people think literacy only refers to knowing how to read, and yet there are other types of literacy.
Literacy means more than being able to read books.
Discuss reading for a purpose, or functional literacy. Juice's family doesn't have much money, and yet some people would say this family is very rich. Juice has trouble reading. Juice hates going to school because other kids make her feel she doesn't belong. Read our Privacy Policy Statement .