September-1 Who is the protagonist (and narrator – the person telling the story) of the novel? What grade was he in? Who is the antagonist? What role did she play in Holling's life? How much support did he get from his father? Why?

September-2 At school the next day, what did Holling imagine Mrs. Baker had done to his desk? How did he handle that situation? Who did Holling think was spying on him from a window? Did he actually see her? As the class diagrammed sentences, what did Mrs. Baker do that Holling thought proved that she hated him?  

October-1 What skill did Holling get good at? What did he do an incomplete job of? Why didn't Holling complain to his father about the chores he was assigned at school on Wednesdays? Instead of going outside at lunch time, where did Holling go? Why?  

October-2 How had Mr. Hoodhood found out abut the cream puff incident? What was his major concern? Where did Holling intend to buy cream puffs? How much would they cost him? After the incident with the rats, what activity took up the rest of the afternoon?

November-1 What did Meryl Lee do that caused herself embarrassment? How did she cause Holling misery too? Who was Holling referring to when he said, "Pied ninny"? Who heard him? What did it actually mean? Why was Mr. Hoodhood so happy? How did his good fortune extend to Holling?  

November-2 What did Holling do that caused Meryl Lee to cry? Why didn't the students get to eat the cream puffs that Holling got from Mr. Goldman? How did Meryl Lee and Mai Thi react? What did Holling do that caused Meryl Lee to cry? What magically happened to the five cream puffs Holling bought and brought to class?  

December-1 Over the P.A., what reason did Mr. Guareschi give for students to do well on the upcoming state test? What do you think of that reason? What was Holling's biggest concern regarding his part in The Tempest? What was his sister's main concern? What misconception did Holling let the other students believe? In your opinion, could he have handled their questions better?  

December-2 After Mrs. Baker found out how Holling was doing in the play, how did she help him? How well did Holling progress while working with Mrs. Baker? Who stayed at school on Wednesday along with Holling? What did they each get from Mrs. Baker? Who had donated the items In the gym, what thrills awaited the boys?  

January-1 Was Doug a good friend to Holling? What evidence do you have for your answer? How did Meryl Lee help Holling? Did that surprise you? Why? In the morning, what did the radio announcement verify?  

January-2 What had Holling done that caused him to be in such a good mood during the testing? Who was walking across the street in the path of the bus? What was Holling's immediate reaction? As a result of Holling's action, what happened to him? What happened to the other person? What did Mr. Hoodhood do for Holling at the hospital? Is that what you would expect a parent to do? Explain.  

February-1 What happened that startled the whole family? Who was the most upset? What were three ways Holling's father showed his anger? What was the next play Mrs. Baker assigned Holling  

February-2 What did Holling and Meryl Lee talk about while drinking their sodas? How did Holling help Meryl Lee understand what his father was designing How did Holling and Meryl Lee treat each other at school the next couple of days? For what purpose did Holling go to Meryl Lee's house? Was he success

March-1 What purpose did Mr. Vendleri come into the classroom with a mallet and ladder? What job was Holling assigned by Mr. Vendleri? How did that go? Was Mr. Hoodhood angry with Holling's sister? Whose viewpoint did Holling side with?  

March-2 What's the name of Holling's "new coach"? Did Holling heed the new training instructions? Why did Holling run faster and then close himself into the tennis courts? How did Mrs. Bigio make up with Mai Thi?

April-1 What news had improved Mrs. Baker's mood? Why did Holling feel Meryl Lee's use of his phrase "Toads, beetles, bats" was exactly right? What did the TV news report say about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? How did Holling's sister cope with that incident?  

April-2 What standard did Coach Quatrini use for the tryouts? Who came to cheer for the CJH team? In your opinion, who wasn't there but should have been? Whose encouragement did Holling get right before his own race started? What else was in his mind that motivated him a lot?

May-1 Of the annoyances that were mentioned, which would you have found the most disagreeable during the bomb drills? Why was Mr. Hoodhood especially quiet during dinner? What did Mr. Hoodhood purchase? Did Holling like it?

May-2 How did Holling feel about his home now? What happened to change that? Where was his sister? How much money did she need to get home?   Rather than go directly home, what did Heather and Holling do after she got off the bus?

June-1 What did Mrs. Baker dislike about camping? In your opinion, why did she continue to take the class there anyway? How had Lt. Baker helped himself keep alive and well in the jungle? Who else helped him? Where did Holling and Heather go together? What was the only bright spot that kept Holling from losing faith?  

June-2 Which of Danny's fellow class members came to his bar mitzvah? Which of Holling's family came? When Holling says, " - the miracle came after all," to what was he referring? What point was Mrs. Baker making when she talked to Holling about his future?

Vocabulary September nefarious - wicked or evil stance - a way of positioning the feet while standing  

Vocabulary October diction - clarity of spoken words foiled - prevented from happening nefarious - wicked or evil remnants - small remaining parts of something wafted - moved gently in the air, as by a light breeze  

Vocabulary November coagulate - gather together as into one mass nefarious - wicked or evil wafted - moved gently in the air, as by a light breeze reconnaissance - a mission to gain information, usu. for military purposes remnants - small remaining parts of something

Vocabulary December advent - arrival or beginning conclude-to bring to end; finish careen - move wildly while swaying from side to side seclusion –an act of secluding exquisite – extraordinary, fine or admiring insubstantial - not large or sufficient  

Vocabulary January careen - move wildly while swaying from side to side remnants - small remaining parts of something

Vocabulary February dank - unpleasantly moist and cold (Page 31) contemporary – modern (Page 148) innovative –something new; technology (Page 148)  

Vocabulary March dispatch - promptly send off  plummet – something that weighs down soothsayer - one who tells of the future stance - a way of positioning the feet while unscathed- unharmed; uninjuried vanquished-to conquer or subdue by superior force diction - clarity of spoken words  

Vocabulary May meandered - wandered aimlessly absolute - complete and without restrictions or exceptions hawking - offering for sale

Vocabulary June nurturing - supplying care or training blithe - lighthearted or casual ascending - moving upward