Enemy Pie
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Summary
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson raises questions about what it means to be an enemy and what it means to be a friend.
Jeremy Ross moved down the street and became Enemy Number One. Dad knows exactly how to get of an enemy – Enemy Pie. Before they can serve Enemy Pie, the boy and his enemy, Jeremy must spend a day together. Throughout the day, the boy and Jeremy gradually become friends and end up eating the delicious pie together.
Read aloud video by Story Time at Awnie’s House
Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson raises questions about what it means to be an enemy and what it means to be a friend. When Jeremy Ross moved in next door, he became Enemy Number One. Students can consider what it means to be enemies with someone. Why is someone an enemy? Is it how they act? Is it how they make you feel?
Before Enemy Pie can be served, the boy and Jeremy have to spend the day together. Over the course of the day, Jeremy changes from being an enemy to being a friend. Students can consider what it means to become friends with someone and how we should treat our friends. Can you go from being enemies to friends? Students can also reflect on why making friends can be scary.
Ultimately, Enemy Pie raises questions about fairness and how we should treat others. Was it fair to put Jeremy Ross on the Enemy Number One list? Students can reflect on if it was fair to make an Enemy Pie and how we should treat our enemies and our friends.
Questions for Philosophical Discussion
Enemies
- Why did the boy say that Jeremy Ross was his enemy?
- Did Jeremy Ross know that they were enemies?
- Do both people need to know that they are enemies to be enemies?
- Did Jeremy act in a way that was mean to the boy? Do you have to be mean to become someone’s enemy?
- What makes someone an enemy?
Friendship
- When did Jeremy and the boy become friends?
- Why was the boy scared to spend the day with Jeremy?
- Can making friends be scary? Why?
- Why did the boy warn Jeremy before eating the pie? Should he have done this?
- Can someone go from being an enemy to a friend? How?
- What makes someone a friend?
Fairness
- How does Jeremy Ross treat the boy in the beginning of the book?
- How does the boy treat Jeremy Ross in the beginning of the book?
- Was it fair of the boy to put Jeremy Ross on his enemy list?
- Why did the boy and his dad want to make Enemy pie? Why did the dad require the boy to spend the day with Jeremy?
- Was it fair of the boy to want to put weeds, earthworms, rocks, and gum he had been chewing into the pie?
- How should you treat your enemies?
- Should you treat your enemies and friends the same? Why or why not?
Find tips for leading a philosophical discussion on our Resources page.
About the Prindle Institute
As one of the largest collegiate ethics institutes in the country, the Prindle Institute for Ethics’ uniquely robust national outreach mission serves DePauw students, faculty and staff; academics and scholars throughout the United States and in the international community; life-long learners; and the Greencastle community in a variety of ways. In 2019, the Prindle Institute partrnered with Thomas Wartenberg and became the digital home of his Teaching Children Philosophy discussion guides.
Further Resources
Some of the books on this site may contain characterizations or illustrations that are culturally insensitive or inaccurate. We encourage educators to visit the Association for Library Service to Children’s resource guide for talking to children about issues of race and culture in literature. They also have a guide for navigating tough conversations. PBS Kids’ set of resources for talking to young children about race and racism might also be useful for educators.
Philosophy often deals with big questions like the existence of a higher power or death. Find tips for leading a philosophical discussion on our resources page.
