Passage Picker

 

1 Descriptive

 

Page # 11        Paragraph # 1   

 

First two words,    “The difference is…….  last two words,…..holes in the wall.”

 

This passage is descriptive because it describes one of Meg’s favorite places in her old house where she kept her artwork.

 

The author uses this passage to convey the importance of the old house to Meg.

 

This passage is important because it shows how much she loved her own spaces and how much detail she remembers about her special private places from the house.

 

Q: What do you think Meg is thinking about leaving her old home and going to a new place?  Do you have a special place for your interests?

 

A:  I think she is feeling sad about leaving behind a place where she felt so comfortable.  I used to have a similar room in my old house to keep art projects, but when I moved to my current home, I found it to be a lot smaller and was sad because I had to put a lot of my work in storage.

 

Q:  What does this passage add to the story?

A:  This story adds interest in Meg’s character and makes the reader want to know more about what she is going to do in the story.

 

1 Melancholy/sad

 

Page # 14       Paragraph # 2

 

First two words,  “I went back upstairs……last two words,…..wasn’t the same.” 

 

This passage is an example of a melancholy or sad mood.  The Chalmers have arrived at their new home but Meg is disappointed again when she finds out she can’t have the one room she likes the best.

 

I think the author puts this passage in because it shows how Meg tries to make the best out of her situations but foreshadows that sometimes things don’t turn out how we thought they would.

 

Q: When is a time that you were disappointed when you tried to look for the best in a bad situation?

A:  I was disappointed in the fact that I got really sick after I had surgery.  I had tried to hope for the best outcome afterwards but got sick along with my pain.

 

Q: Why did the author include this passage in the story?

A:  Because it shows how Meg tries to be optimistic and foreshadows how she will even try when her sister gets sick.

 

1 Surprising

 

Page # 15       Paragraph # 2

 

First two words,   “Now good things……last two words,……happening to Mom.”

 

This passage is surprising because it shows how the family is surprised by the little things they discover about their new home and the different things around it such as the birds at the birdfeeder, etc…

 

I think the author uses this passage to convey how the family is appreciative of the little things in life and how things can’t be taken for granted.  

 

Q:  What was the last “little” thing you realized you were thankful for?

A:  I realized I was thankful for my freedom when I saw one of my good friends shipped out to Kuwait in the marines for war.

 

Q:  Why did the author include this passage in the story?

A:  Because it makes us realize how thankful we should be for the small things in life and also foreshadows the future scenes.

 

1 Problem/Solution

 

Page # 22-24   Paragraph # 3   

 

First two words,    “Hi” I called……… last two words,…..how I know your name.” 

 

This passage is an example of a problem and solution.  Meg’s problem was that she felt lonely and bored in a new place and wasn’t as impressed as her mother and sister by the same things.  She solved her problem when she decided to talk to Will and he invited her in to talk and they became friends.  Her new friendship made her feel like she belonged more and like she had a kindred spirit.

 

Q:  When was the last time you made a new friend and how did you become friends with your best friend now?

A:  I made several new friends in my college class for block.  The person I am best friends with now and I became friends through someone initiating a conversation and us finding out we had similar personalities and interests.

 

Q:  What does this passage add to the story?

A:  It establishes a way for the reader to get to know more about Meg because she ends up expressing more about her personality and interests once she meets Will.

 

1 On Your Own

 

Page # 28   Paragraph # 10 

 

First two words,  “All those times….. last two words,………taking Will’s picture.”

 

This passage has a happy mood I can relate to.  It shows how Meg feels when she becomes enthralled in something that she is passionate about and forgets her worries.

 

I think the author uses this passage to show the type of person Meg really is inside and how much she loves photography.  It shows her as being more mature and adjusting to her surroundings.

 

Q:  What hobbies or interests do you have that you are passionate about and why?

A:  I am passionate about art.  I have always enjoyed using my hands and imagination to create things.  It has been an outlet for me.

 

Q:  What does this passage add to the story?

A:  It lets the reader see a little bit about how mature Meg is for her age and how interested she is in photography.

 

Section 1