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About the Book Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Tangerine centers on Paul Fisher, a visually impaired middle schooler who moves with his family to Tangerine County, Florida. Despite his disability, Paul sees the world more clearly than those around him. His brother, Erik, overshadows him with his football prowess, but something sinister lies beneath Erik's perfect exterior.

When Paul's family relocates to Tangerine, he quickly realizes that the town is as mysterious and complex as his family dynamics. The move triggers several events that unravel hidden secrets, both in the town and within Paul's family.

One pivotal event in the book is a massive sinkhole that swallows part of Paul's school. This disaster forces Paul to transfer to Tangerine Middle School, where he joins the soccer team. Here, Paul begins to find his own identity and strength, free from Erik’s shadow.

As Paul navigates his new life, he uncovers shocking truths about his brother's violent tendencies and his parents' complicity in hiding Erik's dark side. These revelations lead Paul to confront his family's dysfunction, ultimately seeking justice and understanding.

Themes in the book Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Family and Dysfunction: One of the central themes in Tangerine is family dynamics and dysfunction. Paul's struggles with his brother Erik and his parents' denial highlight the complexities of familial relationships and the impact of secrets on family unity.

Overcoming Adversity: Paul's visual impairment and his ability to rise above it serve as a powerful message about overcoming adversity. His determination to excel in soccer and stand up to his brother inspires readers to face their own challenges with resilience.

Environmental Awareness: The novel also tackles environmental issues, particularly the impact of human actions on nature. The sinkhole and the persistent muck fires in Tangerine County symbolize the consequences of neglecting environmental sustainability.

Social Inequality: Through Paul's interactions with his new friends at Tangerine Middle School, the book addresses social inequality. The differences between the affluent and less privileged students shed light on issues of class and privilege.

Activity Ideas for the book Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Character Analysis: Engage students in a detailed character analysis of Paul, Erik, and other key figures in the book. Have them create character maps, exploring motivations, conflicts, and development throughout the story. Discuss how each character's actions drive the plot forward and reveal underlying themes.

Thematic Essays: Assign thematic essays that encourage students to explore the book's major themes. Topics could include the impact of family secrets, overcoming personal challenges, or the importance of environmental awareness. Provide guiding questions to help students structure their essays and support their arguments with evidence from the text.

Environmental Science Integration: Integrate lessons from Tangerine into science classes by exploring the environmental issues presented in the book. Discuss the causes and effects of sinkholes, muck fires, and other ecological phenomena mentioned in the story. Encourage students to research and present their findings on similar environmental challenges in their own communities.

Timeline Creation: Ask students to create a timeline of the major events in Tangerine. This visual representation helps students organize the plot and understand the sequence of events. They can include key dates, significant incidents, and turning points in the story.