I ALMOST DIED. AGAIN.

Transcription

1 MY NEAR-DEATH A D V E N T U R E S I ALMOST DIED. AGAIN. ALISON DE CAMP DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR CLASSROOMS AND BOOK GROUPS Aligns with Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts-Literacy! RHTeachersLibrarians.com

2 ABOUT THE BOOK In this sequel to the 2016 Michigan Notable Book, MY NEAR- DEATH ADVENTURES (99% True!), Stanley Slater is still in Michigan, but now, instead of helping out rough-and-tumble lumberjacks, Stanley Slater (aka Stan the Man) must go to school. And on top of that, he has to look after Cuddy, a younger boy, before and after school. When his ne er-do-well father shows up in town, Stan finally has a chance to meet the man he s dreamed about for so long. Plus, it will give Stan a chance to impress the infamous Captain Slater. (Stan is a whiz at impressing people, he doesn t mind saying.) But Captain Slater isn t quite what Stan expected. In fact, Stan isn t so sure he wants to be like his dad Captain Slater at all. Grades 3-7 ISBN PRAISE FOR MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES (99% TRUE!) 2016 MICHIGAN NOTABLE BOOK, FINALIST FOR THE 2016 NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHILDREN S HISTORY BOOK PRIZE A knee-slapper of a debut featuring a narrator who is rather less than 99 percent reliable but 100 percent engaging. Kirkus Reviews An exuberant first novel that readers will easily become invested in. Publishers Weekly A lively and folksy debut. School Library Journal Hilarious, earnest, and oh-so-manly. Stan stole my heart. Caroline Starr Rose, author of May B. and Blue Birds PRAISE FOR MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES. I ALMOST DIED. AGAIN. A story that uses words like flibbertigibbet and milksops is sure to entertain readers, especially kids who enjoyed Stanley s original adventures. School Library Journal A high-energy romp... chock-full of hilarity. Kirkus Reviews MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES: I ALMOST DIED AGAIN Discussion Guide 2

3 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS??? 1. Compare and contrast Mad Madge and Geri. How are they the same? How are they different? Use specific examples. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3-6.1, RL Compare and contrast Stan and Cuddy. How are they the same? How are they different? Use specific examples. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3-6.1, RL Stan tends to exaggerate, often using figurative language. Find an example from the text and explain what Stan means using plain language. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Alison DeCamp refers to many actual 19th century events, inventions, people, medical cures and practices. Choose one to research and write a paper with additional details, including illustrations and/or multimedia when useful in aiding comprehension. Correlates to Common State Standard RL Describe a character from the book and explain how she/he is important to the story. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Throughout the book Stan refers to his manliness. What are some examples of Stan s attempts at manliness? Why is this so important to him? Do you believe Stan is manly? Why or why not? Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Is Mad Madge really a bully? Support your opinion with details from the text. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3-4.3, RL Choose a scene where Stan interacts with another character and retell the scene from that character s point of view. How does the perspective change? Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Stan is desperate to avoid Mr. Archibald Crutchley. Is he as awful as Stan thinks he is? Describe Mr. Crutchley from Granny s point of view. If Granny were the narrator how would you feel about him? Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Choose an illustration from the book and explain how it contributes to the story and adds meaning. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES: I ALMOST DIED AGAIN Discussion Guide 3

4 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, CONTINUED 11. Do Stan s reactions to people make things easier for him or more difficult in the long run? Find an example from the text and explain what Stan should or shouldn t have done differently and why. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Compare and contrast Stan in book one (MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES (99% True!)) to Stan in book two. How has he changed? Have his opinions of other characters changed? Explain. Has his opinion of his father changed? Why or why not? Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Stan like to think of himself as a lone wolf, making his way through the world alone, without friends or any help. Is this true? Why or why not? Use examples from the text. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3-6.1, RL Would Mama be better off choosing Archibald Crutchley, Stinky Pete, or neither one as a husband? Explain. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL How does Stan s opinion of Mad Madge change throughout the story. Give specific examples. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL How does Stan s opinion of his father change from the start of the book to the end? What happens to change his opinion? Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3-6.1, RL Stan s opinion of girls may be true to the time period but the author obviously disagrees. Find three examples in the text that shows the reader that Alison DeCamp does not share Stan s opinion of women. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Describe Arthur Slater drawing on specific examples (traits, motivation, thoughts, words, actions). Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL Compare and contrast Arthur Slate and Stinky Pete. How are they the same? How are the different? Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3-6.1, What are the major conflicts in the book? Define these conflicts and discuss how the book was structured in order for the conflicts to be resolved. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL.3.5, 5.5, While reading, find five words you don t recognize, write them down, and determine their meanings from the context. Write a definition in your own words. Correlates to Common Core State Standard RL MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES: I ALMOST DIED AGAIN Discussion Guide 4

5 ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY #1: SNAKE OIL! YUM! Create your own snake oil label. Either make it believable (listing natural ingredients with actual healing properties) or totally outlandish. Make sure it has a catchy name! Write out the recipe. Correlates to Common Core State Standard W.3-6.4, MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES: I ALMOST DIED AGAIN Discussion Guide 5

6 ACTIVITY #2: FOOLED YOU! Find an example of an optical illusion and write a report on how it tricks the brain. Correlates to Common Core State Standard W.3-6.2, MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES: I ALMOST DIED AGAIN Discussion Guide 6

7 ACTIVITY #3: 12 SURE SIGNS Read Mark Mancini s article in MENTAL FLOSS, 24 Sure Signs You re an 1890s Kid. Make your own list from when a parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/family friend was a kid. Or make one about what it s like to be a kid now! Correlates to Common Core State Standard W.3-6.3, Signs you're an old timey 1890 s / (or just a kid in general). g a r h! For EVEN MORE, visit Cover illustration 2015 by Scott Nash Designed by Sierra Fong MY NEAR-DEATH ADVENTURES: I ALMOST DIED AGAIN Discussion Guide 7