1. Read the German folktale "Hansel and Gretel" by the Brothers Grimm. Especially compare and contrast the adults such as the stepmother and witch in this folk tale to similar characters in The Goats. Which couple are more resourceful in determining their outcome or fate, Hansel and Gretel or Laura and Howie?

2. Artemis Slake in Felice Holman's Slake's Limbo is pursued by a street gang into the New York Subway System. Compare how Artemis survives for six weeks to Laura and Howie's experience. Artemis finds means of providing for himself other than stealing. How would Laura and Howie feel about this?

3. Overweight Bobby Marks in Robert Lipsyte's One Fat Summer experiences a similar fate on an island to that of Laura and Howie. How does he respond to this cruelty in contrast to Laura and Howie? How does he gain self-respect...