1. The Great Rat Hunt
Author Laurence Yep

2. About the Author
Born in San Francisco, California, Laurence Yep was raised in an African-American neighborhood and commuted to a bilingual school in Chinatown. From high school, he went on to earn a college degree and a PhD. Yep has worked as a teacher of English, a lecturer of Asian-American studies, and a writer-in-residence.

3. Chinatown

4. Reading Focus
Memoir
A form of autobiographical writing in which a person tells about an event or events from his or her life.
First person point of view (I, me, we)
Shows feelings about events

5. Reading Focus Theme (Main Idea)
Most important point or message that the writer wants to communicate to the reader
Stated directly OR implied by supporting details

6. Vocabulary Context Clues Brusquely Reserve Fumigate Ineptitude Mug
Definitions
Barricade
Perpetual
Rationalize
Ravage
Improvise

7. Vocabulary-Context Clues
The child pressed his mug against the store window to stare at the candy display.
Mother’s reserve contrasted with father’s outgoing, talkative nature.
We had to fumigate the apartment to get rid of fleas.
Sharon’s ineptitude on the piano made it difficult to tell what tune she was playing.
People might think you are rude if you speak to them brusquely.

8. Vocabulary Definitions Barricade: blocks a passage
Improvise: to put together an act with little or no preparation
Perpetual: lasting for a long time; continuous
Rationalize: to make self-satisfying, but incorrect explanations about one’s behavior
Ravage: serious damage; destruction

9. The Great Rat Hunt Listen to the story (pages 107-114).
What is the THEME (i.e. the important point or message that Yep is trying to communicate)? What details support your THEME (main idea)?
What are the conflicts, both internal and external?
How does Yep feel throughout the memoir?

10. “The Great Rat Hunt” Create a PLOT poster that symbolizes the
story. Remember to include:
a. Exposition: Characters/Setting
b. Rising Action: Problem(s)
c. Climax: Height of problem(s)
d. Falling Action: Problem(s) begin to get solved
e. Resolution: Problem(s) is/are resolved