The Great Farago Street Storefront War by Donald L. Buchholz

Synopsis

In this book, a group of neighborhood activists has set up a storefront information center called SAFE AND SENSIBLE, providing facts about STDs and AIDS, pamphlets on safe
sex, and offering free condoms. Some members of the community are happy that someone is finally doing something. Others are adamantly opposed, feeling the easy
availability of this kind of information only promotes sexual adventurism among neighborhood kids.

Community concerns, parents’ conflicting views, and media coverage of the growing controversy are seen and experienced through the limited knowledge and viewpoints of
the protagonists, a group of neighborhood children who find themselves caught in the middle.

As the community grows increasingly polarized, the kids are pressured to take sides, to choose between friends, to choose parent over friend or friend over parent.
The book does not take sides or portray anyone’s point of view negatively. There are no bad guys. As I believe Tolstoy once observed, An interesting conflic t is not one
between good and evil, but one between good and good. Through multiple and converging story lines, the book portrays the confusion and uncertainty of the kids, the
choices they make, and the consequences.

There is nothing inappropriate in this book to this age group. It is at times funny, at other times heartbreaking.

TO THE TEACHER

THE GREAT FARAGO STREET STOREFRONT WAR CHAPTER SYNOPSES SUGGESTED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

CHAPTER ONE (pp. 1-9)
Introduction to David and his friend Chunk. They are sitting on a stoop and discussing SAFE AND SENSIBLE, the storefront STD/AIDS information center across the street. David is a wry storyteller; Chunk is naive, credulous.

QUESTIONS

1. Chunk complains that he can never tell when David is telling the truth. Can you? Which of David’s stories do you think are true? The rats? The limousine? Demi? The condom?

2. Where do you think Chunk gets his opinions and ideas concerning SAFE AND SENSIBLE? Where does David get his?

3. Who do you agree with, David or Chunk? Why? Where do you get your ideas and opinions from?

CHAPTER TWO (pp. 10-16)
Introduction to Germaine and Maria. Germaine wants to be a model, and appears to live in a fantasy world. Maria, on the other hand, appears practical, down-to-earth. Germaine steps into the street and is almost hit by a truck. Maria yells at her for having her head in the clouds.

QUESTIONS

1. Why did Germaine step into the street?

2. What does Germaine’s mother and Maria’s parents think of SAFE AND SENSIBLE? How do you know? Do the girls agree with them? With each other?

3. Maria’s mother says KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. What does Maria think she means? What about Germaine? What do yj think Maria’s mother was talking about?

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