Directions: Novel responses should be neatly written or word-processed using complete, detailed, & well-thought out sentences. I will check for sentence structure (punctuation, grammar) as well as comprehension. Neatness and spelling count too!
Chapter 1
1) Compare how Alex's mom and aunt feel about their cats.
2) How did Alex finally get the contest entry blank inside the Kitty Fritter bag?
3) Have you ever experienced anything like what happened to Alex? Explain.
4) What does the word "appetite" mean?
5) Why do you think Mom laughed when Fluffy threw up on Alex's shoe?
Extra Credit:
1) What do you think of Alex so far?
2) What do you think of Alex's mother so far?
Chapter 2
1) How did you respond when Alex sneezed on the student's fuzzy balls?
2) Alex thinks it's his duty to make the class laugh.. "You'd thing a teacher would like it when a student tries to brighten up the day with a little joke or two." What would make Alex think this?
3) Why might a teacher disagree with Alex on this point?
4) How do you feel when a student behaves like Alex in a situation like this?
5) Name 3 things you learned about T.J. Stoner.
6) Why do you think Alex doesn't like T.J.
7) After reading this chapter, what Lifeskills do you think Alex needs to work on? Explain how these skills would help him if he worked on them.
Chapter 3
1) What did Alex do to get him on the principal's bad side?
2) What sport is Alex better at than T.J.
3) Why do you think T.J. doesn't like Alex?
Directions: Answer the questions on your own paper using complete, neatly written sentences. You get 2 points per question: 1 point for a correct & thoughtful answer, and 1 point for a complete sentence. Beware not to begin a sentence with "because" "she", "he", "they", "it".
Chapter 4
1) What size uniform does Alex wear?
2) How does Alex feel about his size?
3) Make one comparison how Alex's dream about uniforms is like or unlike his
real life.
Chapter 5
1) What is the contest that T.J. has going with Alex?
2) Did you think Alex had a good chance of winning the contest?
Support your answer with clues from the book.
3) Why do you think Alex chose Brian to be his umpire?
Chapter 6
1) On page 46, Alex walks up to T.J. and tells him how he feels about being called "Skinnybones". What do you think about that scene? (Was Alex brave or stupid?)
2) What was the one thing Alex and T.J. agreed on during the contest?
3) Who won the contest?
4) What does Alex think he needs to feel good about himself?
Chapter 7 & 8
Write 3 questions about interesting or important details in each chapter and then write a thoughtful answer to your question. (Total of 6 questions & 6 answers)
Chapter 9
1. What is the unusual thing going on - page 68?
2. The Channel Six News truck was parked alongside the curb. What story or whom are they interested in covering? (pg. 70)
3) I wasn't sure how long they were going to be able to hold me up (pg. 72) Who or what are "they"?
Chapter 10
1. How is Alex feeling? Have you ever felt like Alex? Explain.
2. Why did Alex get called "out" in the baseball game? (pg. 86)
3. On page 88, T.J. is mad! What made T.J. so angry?
Chapter 11
1. Alex pushed his dresser over in front of the door so that no one could get in. Why did he do this? (pg.89)
2. What decison did Alex make in this chapter? What is a "hermit"?
3. Alex said that being hungry was not his big problem. What is his big problem? (p93)
Chapter 12
1. What does Alex dislike about his mother? Why does Alex pretend to be sick?
2. Why did Alex try to be as quiet as possible in the class (pg. 102)
3. What two things did the principal announce to the school? Did Alex know about it?