The importance of friendship, feelings, and doing the honorable thing regardless of the consequences is stressed throughout the novel. The activities guide student learning and enjoyment through chapter-by-chapter questions. The additional activities in vocabulary, word study, and personal development help to improve literacy skills in communication, critical thinking, and more. Reproducible chapter questions, plus comprehension questions, a story summary, author biography, creative and cross curricular activities, complete with answer key. A novel by George Selden. Overall Expectations; The students will: ¿ use good literature as a vehicle for developing skills in: reasoning and critical thinking, knowledge of language structure, vocabulary building, and use of conventions. ¿ identify and describe elements of stories (i.e. plot, main idea, characters, setting). ¿ learn about the dynamics of relationships, empathizing and looking out for others who are going through difficult times, learning unselfishness, and the ability to exercise initiative in difficult circumstances. ¿ relate events and feelings found in the novel to their own lives and experiences. ¿ appreciate the importance of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice in personal relationships. ¿ learn how that standing up for what one feels is right, is the honorable thing to do. ¿ appreciate that the growth of one's character often comes through the trials of living. ¿ learn the importance of dealing with adversity and developing perseverance in the face of difficult experiences. ¿ state their own interpretation of a written work, using evidence from the novel and from their own knowledge and experience. List of Skills Vocabulary Development 1. Using content clues 2. Locating descriptive words/phrases 3. Listing synonyms, antonyms, homonyms 4. Use of capitals and punctuation 5. Identifying syllables 6. Listing compound words 7. Determining alphabetical order 8. Use of singular/plural nouns 9. Developing dictionary skills 10. Identifying parts of speech 11. Identify an analogy 12. Identifying an idiom 13. Identifying a simile 14. Identify alliteration. Character Activities 1. Determine character traits 2. Compare two characters 3. Relating personal experiences 4. Understand concepts: friendship, perseverance Creative and Critical Thinking 1. Research 2. Complete 5 W's Chart 3. Write a letter to a friend 4. Conduct an interview 5. Create a KWL Chart 6. Write a description of personal feelings Setting Activities 1. Identify the details of a setting Art Activities 1. Design a cricket house 2. Design a cover for the novel 3. Develop a Storyboard Plot Activities 1. Complete a Story Map 2. Identify conflict in the story 3. Determine the role of others in one's personal growth 4. Develop a Storyboard 5. Identify a cliffhanger 6. Identify the climax of a novel 7. Develop a synopsis.