Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday Literature Guide
Judith Viorst is a master at capturing the humor of everyday life in a family of three lively brothers. You will love the persistent but mistake-prone Alexander who wants so badly to be rich, VERY rich. Enjoy the detailed descriptions of how Alexander spends his money and attempts to make more money. He just can’t get it right, but his choices are sure to make you smile. Look for familiar situations to discuss in this story of emotional ups and downs and the power we all have to make good or bad choices with money. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce the concepts of spending, saving, and donating.
Before Reading
ASK: How much money would you need to feel rich? Do you like to feel rich? If so, why?
SHOW: Look through the book at the pictures of Alexander. Pay attention to his face and the range of feelings he goes through. Look at the cover and talk about what kind of face he is making and what words might go along with that face.
CONNECT: It may be fun to try to recreate some of those facial expressions. (Can you make your own face look that way?)
During Reading
ASK: Why does the boys’ mom say it isn’t nice to say “we like money.”
SHOW: Look carefully at the details in the pictures as you read. Talk about what is happening in the background.
CONNECT: Name some purchases you have made that seem kind of silly now. Ask your mom or dad to tell you about things they have bought in the past that they wish they hadn’t and why they think they made a bad choice.
After Reading
ASK: For what toy does Alexander really want to save his money (a walkie-talkie)? Why can’t he save it if it is important to him?
SHOW: Look at the pictures of Alexander after he spends money. Is he pleased with the ways he spends his money?
CONNECT: How difficult is it for you to save money? Talk about your savings plan. How much do you have and for what are you saving? Is it difficult to save money? Why or why not?
Activities
- Discuss a general budget plan for your family, group or class. About what percentage of your earnings go to fun purchases, bills, saving for big purchases, and donating. Talk about the importance of having a plan in order to make sure you have the money you need.
- Talk about the meaning of the words spend, save, and donate. Discuss how these are the choices for how to use money. Many children set aside half of their allowance for savings in the bank. This money can be saved for larger purchases later. Some people set aside a small part of their allowance for donating. They choose a way to help others or the environment. Talk about personal allowance or other sources of money (such as birthday gifts). Make a plan for how to split allowance into the three categories. (For example, I’ll put 50% in savings at the bank, 10% in a donation jar, and 40% in my piggy bank or wallet for spending as I choose.)
- Fold a large piece of paper into three parts. Unfold the paper and label the sections with the following headers: Spend, Save, and Donate. Make a plan for how to use your own money in these categories. Draw pictures and/or write the things you would like to buy. For example, in the spend section, draw pencils, a stuffed animal, or playing cards. In the save section, draw a walkie-talkie or a special doll. In the donate section, draw a whale or a family eating at a soup kitchen.
- Reread the parts of the story where Alexander spends (or loses) money and make a list of where the money went. Use real money (dimes, nickels and pennies) to count out his losses from one dollar to nothing.
- Use real money to figure out how much money Alexander’s brothers have at the beginning of the story. Can you figure out how much of their money came from Alexander?
