Literature

1.How long had Joel and Tony been friends?

2.What did Joel think of Tony?

3.Tony wanted to ride his bike to the bluffs.Joel suggested they do something else.What were some of Joel's suggestions?

4.Joel decided to ask his father if he could bike out to Starved Rock with Tony.Did Joel think his Dad would let him go?

5.Joel's father was hesitant in giving his permission.He thought of several reasons they shouldn't go.What were they?

CHAPTER 2

1.About how far would they boys be traveling on their bikes?

2.How long do you think it will take them to get there?

3.Why did the boys trade bikes?

4.Who suggested swimming in the Vermillion River, Joel or Tony?

5. Did Joel think this was a good idea?Why or why not?

6. Describe the Vermillion River.

7.What do you think about swimming in this type of river?

Chapter 3

1.Describe the current in the river.

2. Read the fifth paragraph on page 20.Do you think Tony knows how to swim well enough to be in the river? Why or why not?

3.Is swimming allowed in this river?YES or NO

4.The boys started scuffling and pushing each other.Joel was upset with Tony.Why?

5.Tony decided to leave and go climb the bluffs. What drew him back to the river?

CHAPTER 4

1. Describe Tony's effort on swimming to the sandbar.p.25

2.Who made it to the sandbar?

3.What happened to Tony?

4.How did Joel react?

5. What did Joel decide to do?

6.What would you do if you were Joel?

CHAPTER 5

1.Joe hailed a car and asked for help.Who was in the car and how did they help?

2.The boy had given up looking for Tony.How long did he say it took for a person to drown?

3.How did Joel react when the boy said he was going to the police station?

4.What was he thinking about after the boy said he would report it to the police?p. 43

5.What did Joel decide to do?

6.Do you agree his decision is a good one?Why or why not?

CHAPTER 7

1.Joel had a guilty secret. What was it?

2.Joel decided to run away.What was Joel thinking about as he pedaled away from home?

3.Why did he change his mind about running away?

4.What explanation had Joel decided to tell everyone when he got home?page 50

5.When he got back to the Vermillion, Joel decided he'd tell everyone Tony stayed behind to go swimming, but he went on to Starved Rock.Why didn't he just think of telling the truth?

CHAPTER 8

1.Tony hadn't left his clothes scattered everywhere, he hadn't hidden the bike, he hadn't told his parents where he was going.What does this tell you about Tony?

2.Joel's father was exasperated and asked him, "What's going on.This isn't like you....."What was Joel's reply?

3.What 'story' did Joel tell his dad?

4.Why did Joel's father say "I feel responsible..."?

5.As Joel was getting ready for his paper route, his mom asked him what was going on.Mrs. Zabrinsky was under the impression that they had both been in the house that afternoon.What did Joel tell his mom?

6.Is this the same 'story' he had told his dad? YES or NO

CHAPTER 9

1.Joel went on his paper route and Bobby tagged along to help.As he was folding the papers, Bobby was worried about Joel.Why do you think Bobby though something was wrong?

2.What thoughs were running through his mind as he was throwing papers?

3.Who was in their front yard as Joel and Bobby turned the corner?

CHAPTER 10

1.Joel had to invent another portion of his story when the Zabrinsky's asked him when he last saw Tony.What did Joel say?2.How did Tony's mother react?

3.What important fact did Joel learn about Tony?

4.Joel's mom came into Joel's room.What did she want to know?p. 74

5. Joel's father came to the door, but Joel pretended to be asleep.Did his father go into Joel's room?

6. When did Joel finally tell the truth?

7. How did Joel's father respond?

THE RIVERDraw the Vermillion River and what Tony leaves behind on its bank.

^WARNING

^NO

^SWIMMING

WHAT IF.....?

How would the story have changed if....

1....Joel's father had not given permission for thelong ride?

2....there were people having a picnic by Tony'sVermillion River spot?

3...Joel had refused to go in the river with Tony?
4....Joel had gone to the police with the teenage boyto inform them of Tony's drowning?
5....Joel never told anyone the truth about Tony?

WHO SAID THAT?---MATCH THE CHARACTERS WITH WHAT THEY SAID.

? Mr. BatesJoelteenagerBobbyTonyTony's Mom

1. "He tried swimming lessons once, but he wasalways afraid of the water."

2. "I believe there's something about lifethat goes on.It seems too good to end ina river."

3"Look...do you know... how long...ittakes...somebody.....to drown?"

4"Well, are you coming in, or are you justgoing to stand there and gawk?"

5"Joel's goone let me hlp him with hispaper route tomorrow, too."

6"I tried to stop him.I told him theriver was dangerous."

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

Write "True" next to each sentence that is true in the story.Write "False" next to each sentence that is not true.Be ready to explain the reasons for your "false" answers.

1. Tony is a reckless boy only around Joel.

2.Joel would love to have Tony as a brother.

3.Tony has permission to ride to Starved Rock.

4.Joel and Tony go to Starved Rock before they swim in the Vermillion River.

5.The junior high swim team coach trains swimmers in the Vermillion River.

6.While they are playing in the river, Joel and Tony joke about the possibility of Tony drowning.

7.No one actually sees Tony drown.

8.Joel immediately tells the police about Tony.

9.Joel blames himself ro Tony's accident.

10Joel's father punishes Joel severelyfor the lies he tells.

CHANGE FALSE STATEMENTS TO TRUE STATEMENTS BELOW:

DANGER

Work with a partner.Make a list of places in the area where you live that are or could be dangerous for children.Next to each place, explain why it is dangerous.CREATE A SIGN FOR EACH DANGEROUS AREA.

AREA DANGER

AREADANGER

AREADANGER

AREADANGER