The Outsiders, Chapt #6

1. How do you think Dally’s parents and childhood have influenced the way he is now?
2. What “other side” of Dally is revealed in this chapter?
3. What’s your definition of a hero?  Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes according to your definition?  Explain.
4. Ponyboy finally realized why Darry had been so hard on him his whole life.  What reason did he now give?

 ·         Doggedly, bewilderment, pleading, detached, plasma

My Side of the Mountain, pp 85-106

1. On page 92, why does the author refer to the sun as “cold [and] steely”.
2. What does Sam mean when he says, “I could see my new jacket lying in the ferns”?
3. What makes Sam think that Frightful is leaving him?

 ·         Boldly, scheme, resented, cavort, indignity.

The Giver, Chapt #12-13

1. What do you think is the “something” that Jonas speaks about in this chapter?
2. There is much talk of “precision” of language in the novel.  What is missing from the ‘Community’s’ language lessons that would help Jonas in this chapter?
3. Why do you think the “Community” removed the ability to see colour from its people?
4. How is Jonas’ attitude toward the “Community’s” rules beginning to change?

•       Admonition, occupational, fleeting, relinquished, entirety

GIVER

Chapters #10-11

1.      Being the “Receiver” is obviously a very stressful assignment.  Provide evidence to prove that the current “Receiver” has endured a lot of stress over the years.         

2.      What does the Giver mean when he says, “It is how wisdom comes.  And how we shape our future”?

4.      What is meant by “sameness”?  Why is it so important to the survival of the community?

5.      What does the Giver mean when he explains to Jonas that honour is not the same as power?

·         Hastily, conspicuous, deftly, conveyance, quizzically.

MSOTM

Pages #68-85

1.  Although Sam’s senses are not as good as Frightful’s, they have improved.  Provide evidence from the novel to support this statement.

2.  Despite his fear of the man Sam finds sleeping at his camp, Sam decides to greet him instead of moving camp.  What makes him decide this?

3.  Sam has been in the wild for so long that he has begun to take his outdoor skills for granted.  Provide an example of this from this week’s reading.

·         Furtively, chittering, devoted, fragrant, evidently. 

Outsiders

Chapter 5

1. Why does Ponyboy have a problem with Johnny’s idea to disguise themselves?
2. What does Ponyboy mean when he says, “I was supposed to be the deIep one”?
3. Johnny thinks of Dally as a hero.  Is he is a hero?
4. Examine Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay”.  What do you think the poem is saying?  How might this apply to the characters in the novel?
5. Who’s the spy for the Greasers?  Does this surprise you?  Why or why not?

 ·         Reluctantly, sullen, eluded, imploringly, gallant, indignant

LOTNM

Chapters 9 and 10.

1. When Sarah tries to explain the reality of war to Johnny, he stops her.  Why do you think he does?
2. Explain the metaphor of the changes in the carved replica of Johnny’s father?
3. What name do the soldiers give to where the communication trench meets a steam?  Why do they name it that?
4. Initially, Johnny thinks his carving of Harry Black is dancing.  Later, he realizes he’s not.  What does he finally conclude Harry is doing?  How does he come to this ultimate realization?

•  clambered, astonishing, reconnaissance, swaths, Forage, meddling, rigors.