Summer of the Monkeys — Chapter 5

About This Passage

This passage was chosen because it shows how Grandpa teases Jay Berry with kindness, not meanness. Grandpa already knows the monkey hunt did not work. Instead of scolding, he jokes that Jay Berry can put the (not really caught) monkeys in the corn crib. A beginning writer learns here that kind teasing can make a sad boy feel better — and that a good grandfather knows when to make a joke instead of a lecture.

Narration Prompt

Retell Chapter 5 in your own words. Include how Jay Berry runs from the monkeys with holes in his clothes, how he tells Papa what happened, how Papa goes with him to look for the monkeys but cannot find any, how Mama and Daisy see his torn clothes, how Grandpa teases him but then brings out a new tool, and what the new tool is for.

Discussion Questions

1. When Jay Berry finally tells Papa about the laughing monkey and the stolen gunny sack, Papa at first does not believe him. Then Papa listens to the whole story and decides to come look for himself. What in the story tells you that Papa has decided to trust Jay Berry? Why do you think Papa wants to see the smart monkey with his own eyes?
2. When Papa and Jay Berry get to the bottoms, the monkeys are gone. Not a single monkey is in sight. What in the story tells you that Jay Berry still believes the monkeys are near? Why does this matter — would Papa have believed Jay Berry's whole story if they had not gone looking together?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide