Swindle — Chapter 1

About This Passage

This sentence shows young writers how a single image can build an entire mood. Notice how the author chose the word 'angular' — meaning shapes with sharp corners — instead of just 'big' or 'dark.' That one careful word makes the shadows feel pointy and unfriendly. Notice also how the lightning happens in the same moment as the boys are arguing about whether the house is really haunted, so the storm seems to answer them. The sentence teaches that good writers use the weather and the room to do some of the talking for the characters.

Narration Prompt

Tell the story of this chapter from the beginning. Stop at the moment Griffin says 'Gutless wonders.' What did he mean, and how do you know?

Discussion Questions

1. Ben tells Griffin all the scary stories he has heard about the haunted house — about a chainsaw, a railway spike, and a poisoned dog. Was Ben trying to scare Griffin on purpose, or was he just sharing what he was already afraid of? What in the story makes you think so?
2. Griffin says 'There's no such thing as a haunted house,' but at the end of the chapter, when the wind moans and the wood creaks, even Griffin gets a little scared. Was Griffin really brave at the start, or was he just pretending? What in the story makes you think so?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide