Zodiacs

1. Why does Louie insist that George can't play in the big game unless he turns in the money he owes?
2. Why does Louie turn down his chance to hit George while the other boys are holding him?
3. Why does Louie announce in front of the Zodiacs and George's gang that he was mistaken about the amount of money George owes?
4. Why is the story told so that the success of the Zodiacs depends on both George and Louie?
5. Why does George want to play with Zodiacs?
6. Why does Goerge challenge Louie's claim that he owes twelve dollars toward the raffle? Why does George try to steal the money when he is the star of the team and getting "good press"?
7. Why does George agree to give back the eight dollars that Louie says he owes so he can continue playing with the Zodiacs?
8. Why does George bring his gang along when he confronts Louie after the big game?

Take Offs and Landings

1. What do you think is the theme of this book? Support your answer with examples that helped the author reveal the theme.

2. How did Chuck, Lori and Mom change over the course of the story?

3. How can you connect to this theme?

Running Out of Time

1. What do you think is the theme of this book? Support your answer with examples from the story that helped the author show the theme.

2. How did Jessie change over the course of the story?

3. How can you connect to this theme?

Leaving Fishers

1. What do you think the theme of this book is? Support your answer with examples of how the author revealed the theme.

2. How did the Dorry change over the course of the book?

3. How can you connect to this theme?

Book Talk-Take Offs and Landings

pages 9-36
1. How does Chuck feel about himself?
2. How does Lori feel about her brother?
3. How does Chuck feel about Lori?
4. How does Chuck remember his father and how do you suppose that relationship affected him?

10-16-06
What do you think Chuck got from his visit to the Art Museum? Why didn't he tell his mother and sister where he went and why do think that he said the conversation with that man was the best conversation he has had in years?

Book Talk-Leaving Fishers

Chapters3,4,5
1. How did Dorry feel when Lara asked her if she could help with her homework?
2. In what ways are Dorry's new friends different from her friends in Bryden? How does their "openness" make Dorry feel?
3. Why did Dorry go to the "Fishers" party?
4. What do you think Lara and Angela were really fighting about?

10-16-06
What did Dorry discover when she got home from the retreat and what do you think will happen next?

Book Talk -Running Out of Time

chapters 2,3,4
1. How was school different from school today?
2. What did Jessie's mom tell her about where she lives?
3. Why did they move to this community?
4. Foreshadowing is a technique that authors use that gives you little hints about what will happen throughout the rest of the story. Can you give two examples of foreshadowing that you saw before the truth about the community was revealed?

10-16-06
After Jessie had escaped from Clifton and realized that she was going in the right direction, she lost her "cautious" attitude and walked where people could see her. What do you think will happen?