Joseph Koivu and Sarah Niemi
Differences
Motivations for behaviors can be understood thorough comparing and contrasting the differences between a novel’s characters. Below are some suggested areas to try this activity with Joe and Sarah:
Parents / Families:
- Occupations
- Community Involvement
- Activities
- Friends & Associates
- Other
High School
- Friends
- Activities
- Other
Mesaba Park
- Responsibilities
- Other
An example of this type of activity, woulds be to compare the differences between occupations of the Niemi and Koivu family members :
Niemi’s manage and operate the local Cooperative store, Sara’s mother sings in the local musicals, and Sara works in the co-op tagging and labeling dry goods. Sara’s mother’s parents live with their daughter and help with the child care. They live in the city of Hibbing above the store.
Gustav Koivu has a small lumbering company and works outside away from the home. Joe’s mother is suffering from a mysterious chronic disease so Joe bears a significant role for the child care in the home. They live in a rural area outside of Hibbing.
Once you have identified differences, examine a chapter and see if Joe and Sarah’s behaviors align with how you understand families and how they affect behaviors of their members.
Bruce Mine Incident 