Credits

Story written by:
Bob Rouse

Activities written by:
Reta Broadway & Teresa Moore

Illustrated by:
Chris Ware

Titling by:
Amicheli Salyer

Chapter 6:
The Right Place

When a writer gives you clues that suggest events that have yet to occur in the story, this is called foreshadowing. In this chapter the idea of "being in the right place at the right time" is first mentioned by Honest Abe. Later Nathan and Brooke discuss this same idea. What clues do you think the writer is providing with this phrase? Think back to other chapters when Nathan daydreams of being in the newspaper. Do you think this is foreshadowing?

1. Why do you think Nathan expects Brooke to come up with another business plan? 1.2
   
   
2. Is Nathan serious when he says, "Maybe we should charge people to watch us fish"? 1.2
   
   
3. Honest Abe talks about matching talents with the right job. What are some talents that you know Brooke and Nate have? Which ones have they not used yet in one of their business plans? Do you think the writer is using foreshadowing here? Why? 1.2, 2.36
   
   
4. What does Honest Abe love about his job? Why do you think he feels this way? 2.36
   
   

For the advanced reader

1. What are Nathan and Brooke thinking when they look at each other and shout, "Three thousand dollars!" What do you imagine their next move will be? 1.2, 5.1
   
   
2. Honest Abe tries to help the children feel less frustrated by pointing out some things and giving examples from his own life. What are some of the things he says? Do you think they feel better after he talks with them? Have you ever tried to encourage a friend who is frustrated? What did you say? Did your friend feel better? 2.32, 4.1, 4.3
   
   
3. Why does Brooke clap for her brother when he performs on the skimboard? How do you think she feels about him? Do you do a better job when you have an audience or do you prefer to do things alone or with just a few friends? 2.29, 3.3
   
   
4. With a partner, research water safety. Present the information to other students using reports, posters, brochures, or Power Point presentations. 2.31, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1
   
   
   

Newspaper-related activities

1. Find people in the newspaper who make their living by performing for an audience. What are some of the things they do? Would you like to be a performer? Identify one person from the newspaper you would like to trade places with for a week and write a paragraph telling why you chose this person. 1.1, 1.11, 1.2, 3.6
   
   
2. Sometimes newspaper stories are about people who are "in the right place at the right time," and other times the stories are about people who are "in the wrong place at the wrong time." Scan your newspaper for several days to find stories that fit into one of these categories and share them with your classmates. Try writing your own news story about a time you, a friend, or a family member were in the "right" or "wrong" place. 1.10, 1.11, 3.6
   
   

ABOUT | CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3 | CHAPTER 4 | CHAPTER 5 | CHAPTER 6 | CHAPTER 7 | HOME

©2003, Knight Ridder Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.