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Copywork
About This Passage
This passage contrasts sharply with the harshness of Gabe's apartment. Riordan uses plain, sincere language to show Sally's effect on Percy — no fancy words, just warmth. The comparison between Sally seeing 'all the good things' and every school seeing only the bad makes this passage thematically powerful.
Find the passage where Percy describes his mother, Sally Jackson. Look for where he says, 'My mother can make me feel good just by walking into the room.' Copy through where he says, 'When she looks a...
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell someone what happened in this chapter in order. When you get to the most important part, slow down and tell it carefully — what happened, why it mattered, and what you think about it.
Discussion Questions
- Percy's mom, Sally, puts up with Gabe even though he is mean and lazy. Percy keeps asking himself, 'Why did she put up with this guy?' Why do you think Sally stays with Gabe? What in the story makes you think she might have a reason Percy does not understand yet?
- Sally tells Percy his father was 'kind, tall, handsome, and powerful, but gentle too.' Percy gets angry because his father left before he was born. Is it fair for Percy to be angry at someone he has never met? What in the story makes you think so?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Scattered messily all over a surface
Item 2
Feeling sick to your stomach, like you might throw up
Item 3
Felt angry and bitter about something unfair
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Critical Thinking
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