1. “The Baker Heater League” and “The 11:59”
By: Abby, Lisette, Zack, and Kenzie

2. “The Baker Heater League” By: Patricia C
“The Baker Heater League” By: Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack

3. Info About The Author
As a writing team, Patricia C. Missack and her husband, Fredrick, usually have four or five books in progress at any time. Their goal is to write the stories about African Americans that have been “ left out, forgotten, misrepresented, or minimizes by mainstream history texts.”

4. The Setting
The setting of The Baker Heater League is 1900’s railroad days in St. Louis.

5. POV
This story is Nonfiction. The point of view is from the author.

6. Plot
The plot is legends about famous porters and people.

7. Vocabulary Finery- fancy clothing and accessories
Worrisome- causing worry or anxiety
Lurking- ready to spring out, undiscovered

8. Characters and Character Traits
Daddy Joe’s exploits were greatly exaggerated.
Casey Jones became a railroad hero, and many songs were written about him.
John Henry believed to be a newly freed slave from North Carolina.

9. Questions Who was Casey Jones? Was Daddy Joe a real person?
Did the speaker experience this herself?

10. The 11:59 By: Patricia C. McKissack

11. Info About The Author
As a writing team, Patricia C. Missack and her husband, Fredrick, usually have four or five books in progress at any time. Their goal is to write the stories about African Americans that have been “ left out, forgotten, misrepresented, or minimizes by mainstream history texts.”

12. Setting
The setting is at St. Louis train station.

13. POV
The point of view is from Lester. This story is Fiction.

14. Plot
The plot was based on the superstition that any porter who heard the whistle blast of the 11:59 knew he was destined to die within the next twenty-four hours.

15. Vocabulary mishaps-unfortunate or unlucky accidents
burdened- weighed down by work, duty, or sorrow

16. Characters and Character Traits
Lester was the old retired porter.
Tip was the ghost that came and told Lester it was his time to die.

17. Theme
The theme of this story is that you can’t cheat death.

18. Questions Why did the train come through Lester’s house?
What kind of stories did Lester tell?
What did you take from this story?