Novel Studies (Feb 24-28)

My Side of the Mountain.  Pages #41-58

1. Why do you think Sam is so excited to get his falcon?
2. What lesson did the visit from the forest warden teach Sam?
3. Why was getting a deer so important to Sam?

Vocabulary

·         Shinnied, exertion, raving, resolved, berated.

Kicked Out.  Chapters 3 and 4.

1. Compare Darren’s strategy with dealing with Dime to that of his parents?  Which do you think will be more successful?
2. Why does Dime like Gabe so much?
3. Dime acts tough.  Is she as tough as she acts?  Explain.

 Vocabulary

• Aide, lecture, combat, rippled, unconscious.

The Giver.  Chapters #5-7

1.      What do you think the pills that Jonas now has to take, do?

2.      What did front-buttoned jackets symbolize?  Explain the symbolism.

3.     Explain the significance of the new-child’s name, “Caleb”.  What is your opinion of this tradition?

4.     Was the way the ‘Community’ corrected Asher’s speech, appropriate and effective?  Explain. 

Vocabulary

·         meticulously, scrupulously, prestige, chastisement, sheepish.

The Outsiders.  Chapter 3

1. Do you think Ponyboy and Cherry will ‘hook up’?  Why or why not?
2. Compare how the death of Pony’s parents has affected each of the three brothers.
3. What happens when Pony comes home after his curfew?  Why do you think Darry reacts this way?
4. At the end of the chapter, how does the author foreshadow that bad things are going to happen?

 Vocabulary

·         Impersonally, ornery, resignedly, aloof, quivering

Lord of the Nutcracker Men.  Chapters 5 and 6

1. Define ‘irony’.  Why was it ironic that Mr. Tuttle gave so much money to Johnny for his ‘guy’?
2.  What day was Johnny commemorating when he made his “guy”?  Describe the origin of the holiday.
3.  The author used the ceremony that Johnny went to as a metaphor.  What is a metaphor and what do you think the burning of Johnny’s ‘guy’ was supposed to represent?
4.  If Sarah’s voice, clothes, shape and hair aren’t like a boy’s, why did Johnny think, “she was exactly like a boy”?

Vocabulary

• Fizzly, suffragettes, livid, treason, whittle
• Sector, churned, atrocious, lolling, gangly.