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

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

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.”

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

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

Plot The plot is legends about famous porters and people.

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

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.

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

The 11:59 By: Patricia C. McKissack

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.”

Setting The setting is at St. Louis train station.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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