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Copywork
About This Passage
Kate DiCamillo ends the book by completing the circle the first chapter opened. The song that began the book is still singing — but Mercy can fall asleep through it now. Three sentences hold an entire arc of growth.
Mercy smiled. She closed her eyes. She was asleep before Mr. and Mrs. Watson ever finished the song.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
In your own words, tell the closing chapter. What is the most important moment, and how do you know?
Discussion Questions
- The book ends with the same song that opened chapter 1. But Mercy responds differently — she falls asleep instead of being afraid. Why does Kate DiCamillo bring back the opening song at the end?
- In chapter 1 Mercy could not fall asleep alone in her own bed. In chapter 12 she falls asleep on the couch while the song is still going. What changed — Mercy, the world, or both?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
made a happy face
Item 2
brought to its end or completion
Item 3
a long soft seat for sitting or lying down
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Critical Thinking
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