Dear Mr. Henshaw
Passage Picker
Passage One:
Page 61-62 paragraph 2-paragraph 4
First two words: "Yesterday somebody..." Last two words: "...and comfortable."
This is a descriptive type of passage because: Leigh uses words that describe how he felt and looked when his lunch was burgled again, and that he was upset that his father hadn't phoned. Also, Leigh gives a description of Mr. Fridley as being 'baggy' and 'comfortable'.
Why does Mr. Fridley tell Leigh that he is the not the only boy in the school whose father forgets? A: Mr. Fridley probably tells Leigh that he is not the only boy in the school whose father forgets because he wants Leigh to be happy and not think that he is alone with his problems. Mr. Fridley also probably understands how hard it is to be the new boy in school, and he hopes that Leigh can make some friends and cheer up.
Why did the author include this passage in the story? A: The author probably included this passage to give a visual idea of how down Leigh was feeling about his lunch and his relationship with his father. The author probably wanted to give characterization to Mr. Fridley and show that his character is one who truly cares about Leigh and what is going on in his life.
Passage Two:
Page 75 paragraph 1
First two words: "After high..." Last two words: "...the time."
This is a simile passage because: Ms. Botts, Leigh's mom, has compared Mr. Botts, Leigh's dad to a knight. By saying "...well, he seemed like a knight in shining armor" Ms. Botts is comparing Mr. Botts by using the word "like".
Why does Ms. Botts use this simile to describe her ex-husband? A: Ms. Botts uses this simile to describe her ex-husband because she is trying to explain to Leigh as to why she married him at such a young age, and the situation in her life as to why she decided to run off and get married.
Why did the author include this passage in the story? A: The author includes this passage to give characterization to the characters of Ms. and Mr. Botts. The reader gets background information about their relationship and why they decided to get divorced. This passage also gives the reader an idea of the relationship between mother and son, or of Ms. Botts and Leigh. This passage shows how Leigh is very upset and how Ms. Botts is taking the time to talk to her son honestly about her failed marriage.
Passage Three:
Page 85 paragraph 3
First two words: "In the..." Last two words: "...burglar alarm."
This is a foreshadowing passage because: Leigh has been having problems with someone stealing parts of his lunch everyday. Leigh had been trying different strategies to keep his lunch from being stolen, but he had been otherwise unsuccessful. In this passage the reader gets a pretty big hint as to how Leigh is planning to keep the person from stealing his lunch from here on out.
How will Leigh design a burglar alarm out of batteries? Do you think it will work? A: Leigh will possibly read a book on how to get batteries to run alarms, and then he will try to rig up an alarm in his new lunchbox, this will cause his lunch to not be stolen anymore, and it will work.
What does this passage add to the story? A: This passage makes the reader see into the storyline's plot by giving clues as to what is going to happen next. This passage also gives a clue as to how creative and intelligent Leigh Botts is as a young person.