A
Summer to Die
Section
1
p. 1-29
Discussion Director
Effect: The Chalmers decide to move to the
countryside. What caused
them to make this decision? Do you agree
that they should have moved? Why or why not?
If not, what else could the family have done?
The
family moved because Meg’s father was a professor and author and needed time to
write a book in peace and quiet. At
their old place, there was always students stopping by and taking up much of
his time so that he couldn’t write. I
agree that they should have moved because it gave the kids new experiences and
the family some time to experience new things together. If they hadn’t moved,
they could have chosen to stay in their old place and the father could have
gotten a private office somewhere else in town to work on his book.
Compare
and contrast the old Chalmers home with the one in the
country. What things are similar and
what things are different?
Page
4 par.1, 2
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5 par.1
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7 par.1
Page
11 par. 1, 3
Page
12 par. 1
Page
14 par. 3
The
home seemed different to Meg at first because in the new home she and Molly had
to share a room and she didn’t have any memories there. It was also quiet
there. In town, they had their own rooms
and it was noisier. The new place is on
a dirt road surrounded by 160 acres of woods and fields. It is also much older, smaller, has low
ceilings, smaller windows, and the doors fall open. They are the same by the end of the month in
that the new house is also alive with noise and feels lived in because you can
smell the cinnamon and pumpkin pie they are used to.
Which
scene from this section can you picture most clearly in your mind? Which parts stick out the most in your mind
and why?
Page
14 Par. 3
The
scene just before Christmas with the sound and warmth of the fireplace and the
smells of wet boots drying, cinnamon, pumpkins, pies, and gingerbread. It sticks out because I can relate to that
time of year from similar smells and sounds from my childhood.
How
is Meg characterized in this section?
Give specific words/examples the author uses to describe her physically
and her personality.
Page
3 Par. 1
Page
10 par. 1 and 2
She
is determined, unsure, hasty, impetuous, and sometimes angry over nothing. She is also smart, creative, ambitious, 13
years old, has straight hair and glasses.
Which
of the following best describes Molly?
a.) untidy
b.) shy
c.) self-confident
d.) uncertain
answer: c.) self-confident
How do you
think Meg felt about moving when she first found out? How does she feel by the end of this section
and why?
I think
she felt sad because she thought she was having to leave behind her art
activities like her art class and photography class that she was doing so well
in. She also felt sad because the new
house was smaller and she wouldn’t have her own room and it wouldn’t have the
memories or private space she enjoyed at her old house. She starts feeling better by the end of this
section because she starts taking pictures again and become friends with Will. She feels more comfortable and curious about
her new surroundings.