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Copywork
About This Passage
This passage is the preacher's most important speech in the whole book. He is correcting something he said way back in Chapter 4. Notice the pattern — he states the correction ('I forgot one thing'), then he names the thing ('one very important thing that she left behind'), and then he finally delivers it ('Thank God your mama left me you'). This is three sentences that build toward one gift. The word 'thank God' is a prayer in the middle of the rain. Copying this passage teaches a writer how a confession can be structured to build toward its most important words.
When I told you your mama took everything with her, I forgot one thing. One very important thing that she left behind. Thank God your mama left me you.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell the chapter. The preacher cries in front of Opal — something she has never seen before. Why does he finally cry now?
Discussion Questions
- The preacher tells Opal her mother is not coming back. This is the hardest truth in the book. Why does DiCamillo wait until Chapter 24 to let the preacher say it? What had to happen first?
- Opal comforts the preacher like he is 'a scared little kid.' This is a reversal of roles. What does the reversal tell us about how Opal has grown during the summer?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
the act of telling a hard or private truth, often one you have been carrying for a long time
Item 2
the act of fixing something you said before that turned out to be incomplete or wrong
Item 3
a large, fast road that connects towns
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Critical Thinking
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