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Copywork
About This Passage
This passage was chosen because it is the only place in the entire book where Squid uses his real name, Alan, and asks a kind favor. Copying it slowly teaches children to notice the small, quiet moments when a bully character starts changing, and how one phone number can carry a whole apology.
She gave it to him, and Squid wrote down a phone number which he gave to Stanley. “Call my mom for me, okay? Tell her … Tell her I said I was sorry. Tell her Alan said he was sorry.” Stanley promised ...
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
In three or four of your own sentences, tell a grown-up what happens in Chapter 48. Be sure to mention that the tall man is the Texas Attorney General, that Stanley’s lawyer is named Ms. Morengo, that Zero’s real name is Hector, that Zero’s file is ‘misplaced,’ and that Stanley will not leave without Hector.
Discussion Questions
- The Warden says to Zero, ‘You can’t even read.’ What in the story — from this chapter and the chapter before — makes you think the Warden is wrong about Zero, and that Zero actually CAN read and has been teaching himself all along?
- First the Warden said the boys stole the suitcase. Then suddenly she says, ‘I didn’t say they stole the suitcase. It’s his suitcase.’ How do you know she is changing her story right in front of everyone, and what does her quick switch tell you about the truth?
+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide
Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Feeling unable to think clearly because of shock or tiredness
Item 2
The pictures and feelings that happen in your mind while you are asleep
Item 3
A person you know well, trust, and care about
+ 5 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
+ 4 more questions in the complete study guide
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