SINCERELY SICILY
Helping students explore identity, voice, and belonging through meaningful literature.
• Strong ELA + writing workshop connections
• Deep SEL and identity exploration
• Research and reflection-based learning
Perfect for upper elementary and middle school teachers looking to support student voice and cultural understanding.
Helping Students Find Their Voice and Identity: A Classroom Experience Inspired by Sincerely Sicily
Have you ever noticed how deeply kids want to be understood?
They feel things deeply.
They question who they are.
They wonder where they belong.
And sometimes…
They don’t yet have the words to express it all.
That’s exactly where Sincerely Sicily steps in.
Book Snapshot
Title: Sincerely Sicily
Author: Tamika Burgess
Age Range: 8–12
Grade Level: 3–7
Genre: Middle Grade / Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Themes:
• Identity & Self-Discovery
• Culture & Heritage
• Race & Belonging
• Voice & Expression
• Family & Generational Influence
A Story About Identity, Voice, and Truth
Sicily Jordan is navigating something many students quietly face:
Feeling unseen
Feeling misunderstood
Feeling unsure of how to explain who they are
As a proud Black Panamanian girl adjusting to a new school, Sicily is asked questions she doesn’t yet know how to answer—and faces judgments that challenge her sense of self.
Through journaling, reflection, and connection to her heritage, she begins to discover something powerful:
Her voice matters
Her story matters
And writing can be a bridge to both
Why This Book Matters (Teacher Lens)
This book opens the door to conversations that truly matter in today’s classrooms:
• How do students understand their identity?
• How do they respond when others don’t understand them?
• How can writing become a tool for processing and empowerment?
It also supports students navigating:
Cultural identity
Microaggressions and bias
Confidence and self-expression
And it does so in a way that is deeply relatable and accessible.
What Students Will Learn
Students will:
• Define and explore identity, race, and culture
• Analyze character development and internal conflict
• Practice written expression through journaling
• Build empathy and perspective-taking skills
• Connect personal experiences to broader social themes
What the Guide Includes
• Pre-reading prediction and inference work
• Deep, text-based discussion questions
• Identity and character analysis
• Cultural exploration and reflection
• Writing extensions inspired by Sicily’s journey
• Research-based Bio-Pyramid project
👉 Including a powerful research activity exploring influential figures and how identity shapes success
Standout Learning Moment: Writing as Power
One of the most meaningful threads in this story is Sicily’s return to writing.
Her journal becomes:
• A safe space
• A thinking space
• A healing space
Students are invited to explore:
How writing helps us understand ourselves
How words can create change
How voice develops over time
Key Concept
Change begins when we find the courage to tell our own story.
Simple 5-Day Flow
Day 1: Cover analysis + identity predictions
Day 2: Read & discuss identity challenges
Day 3: Culture, race, and perspective discussions
Day 4: Writing workshop (journal entries / personal voice)
Day 5: Bio-Pyramid research + identity reflection
Bring This Book to Life in Your Classroom
If this story speaks to you, here are a couple of easy next steps:
Access the full educator guide: guidesbydeb.com
Note: Some of the links I share are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
Final Thought
This is the kind of story that helps students realize:
They don’t have to shrink.
They don’t have to stay quiet.
Their voice—
their story—
their identity—
matters.
This guide is part of my Guides by Deb collection—standards-aligned resources designed to help educators turn great books into meaningful learning experiences.
I’m Debbie Gonzales, author, educator, and founder of Pin Lit Marketing, where I help children’s book creators grow their visibility through Pinterest.
Together, this work connects books, educators, and readers in lasting ways.
