Shadow of a Bull

Set in a small town in Spain, Shadow of a Bull leads readers into the life of Manola Olivar, and eleven-year old boy. At such a young age Manola is already struggling with what professional path to take. His wish is to become a doctor but his family and the townspeople are pressuring him to take the same career path as his late father, a world famous bullfighter. Manola is torn between remaining faithful to himself, or honoring his late father.

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Enrichment Activities
Internet Resources
Books by Maia Wojciechowska

Enrichment Activities

• Act Out a Scene
  Assign students, in groups of three or four, to act out a scene from Shadow of a Bull.
  
  
• Bullfighting
  Have students prepare a Power Point presentation on bullfighting. Use the sites listed below as references.
  
  
• Book Cover Design
  Get students thinking about the main message of the book by having them design a new book cover. You can also have your class analyze the different book covers that the novel has been published with since 1965. Some examples are below.
  
  

  September 2004

  March 1972

  April 1992

• Folk Tale Problem-Solving
  Students will create their own folk tale with characters, a setting, and a problem.
  
  
• Integrate Art
  Contact your school's art teacher and brainstorm ideas that would integrate art, Hispanic Heritage, and the book Shadow of a Bull. Some suggested materials include clay, pastels, or paper collage.
  
  
• Shadow of a Bull Word Search
  Challenge your students vocabulary skills with this word search.
  
  
• Story Elements
  Define the story elements of Shadow of a Bull by breaking down the different components of the book.
  
  
• TeacherVision's Hispanic Heritage Theme
  This theme page is packed with lessons, activities, and references for all grade levels about Hispanic Heritage.
  

Internet Resources

Bullfighting Terms
Grade Levels: All
This glossary of bullfighting terms will help students while reading Shadow of a Bull.
http://mundo-taurino.org/alt_word.html

The History of Bullfighting
Grade Levels: All
An explanation and history of one of Spain's most popular pastimes.
http://www.red2000.com/spain/toros/

Information about Spain
Grade Levels: All
Facts about the geography, government, and history of Spain.
http://ln.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107987.html

Maia Wojciechowska – Biographical Sketch
Grade Levels: All
A biography of the late Newbery-Award winning author.
http://www.lib.usm.edu/%7Edegrum/html/research/findaids/wojciech.htm#bio

Books by Maia Wojciechowska