T E A C H E R ’ S
G U I D E
Keep Your Eye
on Amanda!
Written by Avi
Illustrated by Tim Bush
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
Teacher’s Guide by Sherrye Dee Garrett, Ed.D.
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Table of Contents
About Keep Your Eye on Amanda! . . . . 3
Lesson Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Additional Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Word Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Answers to Chapter Questions . . . . . 24
Trivia Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
K E E P
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About Keep Your Eye on Amanda!
The Keep Your Eye on Amanda! Teacher’s Guide gives students an opportunity to interact with literature, art,
and the newspaper through this story by Avi. Tim Bush provides the illustrations.
Keep Your Eye on Amanda! is a delightful tale about a pair of raccoon twins—Philip and Amanda. Philip is
responsible. He follows rules and he keeps his eye on his sister. Amanda has a deep-seated need for
excitement and adventure. Her rebellious nature leads her into a partnership in crime with a local burglar.
Philip and the other animals in Boulder’s Central Park must save Amanda from herself. The animals come up
with a creative solution that is exciting enough even for Amanda.
Lesson Plans
The lesson plans for each chapter are divided into these parts:
Vocabulary identifies important vocabulary words in the chapter. Teachers may use the vocabulary
instructional activities they choose, such as identifying phonics elements, using root words and
affixes, or determining meaning from context.
Let’s Discuss questions provide an opportunity to discuss the story with students. Most of the
questions require students to obtain meaning across text and to think critically.
Newspaper Activities offer real-world connections that relate to the topics and content of each
chapter.
Additional Activities
These activities help students explore topics and literary elements in the story.
Puzzles
A crossword puzzle and a word search are provided.
Acknowledgements
This teacher’s guide was developed by the Use The News Foundation in collaboration with Breakfast Serials.
It was created by Dr. Sherrye Dee Garrett. Use The News Foundation seeks to develop educational projects
that provide resources addressing human rights issues such as diversity, character education, health and
nutrition, safety, disaster preparedness, the environment, and the elimination of prejudice. Founded in
August 1998, the Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that fosters partnerships with schools,
Newspaper In Education programs, and their business sponsors. For information, contact Dr. Betty L.
Sullivan at 415-861-1637 or via e-mail: [email protected].
Keep Your Eye on Amanda! is syndicated by Breakfast Serials, an organization founded by Avi to promote
reading by providing good children’s literature for newspapers.
For more information, contact:
Linda Wright
Breakfast Serials
859 South York Street
Denver, Colorado, 80209
Telephone: 303-777-0538
e-mail: [email protected]
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CHAPTER
1
Introduces Philip and Amanda
Let’s Discuss
1. What evidence do Amanda and
Philip have that the house they
are looking at is deserted?
2. Where do Amanda and Philip
live?
3. What did the twins’ mother
mean when she said Amanda
loves excitement too much and
rules too little?
4. How does Amanda get Philip to
do what she wants?
5. Why isn’t Amanda afraid of the
man they find in bed in the
house?
6. What is Philip afraid might
happen to the raccoons if they
get caught in the house?
7. What three words would you use
to describe Amanda? What three words would you use to describe Philip?
8. Why do you think the twins’ mother has told Philip to be in charge, rather than
Amanda?
9. Why do you think Philip doesn’t want to follow Amanda?
10. Make a prediction: What will Philip find when he goes to Amanda?
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
exasperation, n
extreme frustration
Find a newspaper photo or comic strip
that shows two children. Pretend they
are siblings. Make up an adventure
story about them.
K E E P
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VOCAB U LARY
sarcastically, adv
in a nasty, hur tful way
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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
reluctance, n
a holding back
CHAPTER
2
Inside the House
Let’s Discuss
1. In the house, what different
foods attract Amanda and
Philip?
2. How does Philip talk himself
into believing that it is OK to eat
the granola?
3. What accident does Philip cause
in the kitchen? How is this
important later in the story?
4. Why does Philip think the man
in the house resembles a
raccoon?
5. Why isn’t Amanda concerned
about the man who is chasing
them?
6. How do Philip and Amanda
respond differently to being
chased?
7. What upset does Philip cause as he tries to escape?
8. Why do you think Amanda didn’t follow Philip out of the house?
9. What would you do if you caught two raccoons in your home?
10. Make a prediction: What will happen to Amanda in the house?
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
careened, v
moved from side to side in a dangerous
way
Look through the grocery store ads for
foods that Philip and Amanda would
like to eat. Add up the costs of the
foods you select.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
dapper, adj
ver y stylish, neat and trim
swooned, v
fainted from delight
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CHAPTER
3
What Happened to Amanda?
Let’s Discuss
1. How does Amanda try to trick
the man into feeling sorry for
her?
2. What does Joe say that makes
Amanda realize he doesn’t
own the house?
3. How does Joe explain the fact
that he is occupying the
house?
4. What word does Joe use to
describe his “job”?
5. Why is Amanda so intrigued
with Joe’s work?
6. What argument does Amanda
use to persuade Joe to let her
work with him?
7. Why do you think Amanda
wants to become a thief like
Joe?
8. How do you think Philip feels when Amanda doesn’t come out of the house?
9. What tells you that Philip’s mother is old?
10. Make a prediction: What will Philip do to help Amanda?
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
VOCAB U LARY
cupola, n
a small structure on top of a roof
Find a comic strip that shows someone
getting into trouble.
(coal) tender, n
a vehicle attached to a locomotive that
carries fuel
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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
slyly, adv
in a sneaky manner
CHAPTER
4
Philip Returns to the House
Let’s Discuss
1. How does Philip show concern
for his sister?
2. Why is Philip so familiar with the
train they live in?
3. Why isn’t Gloria eager to help
Philip?
4. Why isn’t Gloria too worried
about Amanda?
5. How does Philip get back into the
house on Grove Street?
6. Why does Amanda admire Joe?
7. Why would it be natural for
Philip to sleep most of the day?
8. What information in the
newspaper makes Philip think
Amanda is involved in the
neighborhood burglaries?
9. Why do you think Philip is sure
that Joe is forcing Amanda to steal?
10. Make a prediction: What will Philip do to prove Amanda’s innocence?
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
flue, n
a channel in a chimney that lets fire and
smoke escape to the outside
Make an Amanda collage. Cut words
out of the newspaper that describe
Amanda. Make a collage using your
words.
K E E P
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VOCAB U LARY
mused, v
said in a thoughtful way
rash, n
large number of occurrences in a shor t
time
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CHAPTER
5
Amanda and Joe
Let’s Discuss
1. How does Amanda compare
Joe to Philip?
2. How does Amanda help Joe
break into the small house?
3. What is different about the
items Joe steals and the items
Amanda steals?
4. What food item in the small
house tempts Amanda?
5. Why do Amanda and Joe
leave the small house so
quickly?
6. What emotions does Philip
feel when he first sees Joe
returning to the house on
Grove Street?
7. What does Amanda do to
play on Joe’s emotions?
8. How do you think Philip feels when he sees that Amanda is acting freely?
9. Why do you think Philip is sure that Joe and Amanda actually stole the items
they have with them?
10. Make a prediction: What will Philip do to save Amanda?
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
console, v
tr y to make someone feel better
Look through your newspaper for
photos of items that would attract Joe
and Amanda. Circle Joe’s items in red.
Circle Amanda’s items in blue. Compare
your selections with those of your
classmates.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
save, prep
except
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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
hunched, adv
curled up in a ball
CHAPTER
6
Philip Learns a Few Things
Let’s Discuss
1. Why do you think Amanda tells
Philip to go away when he comes
back to the house on Grove Street?
2. What do you think Amanda means
when she says, “I’m not the sister you
knew”?
3. Why do you think Amanda tells
Philip to do something to surprise
her?
4. Why would it be difficult for Philip
to go to the authorities about
Amanda?
5. What does Philip think about
Amanda’s challenge to do something
surprising?
6. Why does Philip go to Boulder Creek
instead of going home after his
meeting with Amanda?
7. Why are Philip’s encounters with
Miss Matilda, Pickwick and Brian important?
8. Do you think the other animals are right to be upset? Why or why not?
9. Why does Philip finally decide to go to the courthouse to look for help?
10. Make a prediction: What will happen when Philip goes to the courthouse?
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
impolite, adj
rude
Find three exciting things in the
newspaper that Amanda could do
instead of stealing. Explain why each
would be a good choice.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
plight, n
a bad situation
shame, n
extreme embarrassment or humiliation
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CHAPTER
7
Philip Goes for Help
Let’s Discuss
1. How does Philip get into the courthouse
unseen?
2. Why does Philip decide to talk to a
judge instead of a police officer?
3. What problem does Police Chief Banyan
discuss with Judge Peebles?
4. How does Judge Peebles feel about
animals?
5. How have Amanda’s actions created
problems for all the animals?
6. Why do you think Gloria reacts the way
she does when Philip tells her about his
trip to the courthouse?
7. Why does Philip try to stay out of sight
after he returns from the courthouse?
8. What frightening news does Philip
overhear on his way to the creek?
9. Why do you think Philip decides to run
away?
10. Make a prediction: Where will Philip go?
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
earnest, adj
ver y sincere, impor tant
Read a newspaper story about your
local police department. Write a
paragraph describing how a police
action is helping your community.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
scant, adj
a small amount , meager
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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
pug nose, n
a nose that is cur ved in at the bridge and
has flattened nostrils
CHAPTER
8
Philip Runs Away
Let’s Discuss
1. Why does Philip want to get far
away from Amanda?
2. Why do you think Philip’s mother
sleeps so much?
3. Who does Philip meet on his way
to the canyon?
4. Why isn’t Philip honest with
Hubert about the reason for his
trip?
5. Why does Philip finally agree to
let Hubert come with him?
6. What examples does Hubert give
of Amanda’s wild behavior?
7. Why is Hubert offended when
Philip says, “Yeah, it all stinks”?
8. What idea does Hubert offer for
dealing with Amanda?
9. Why do you think Philip hadn’t
thought of a group meeting?
10. What ideas do you think the animals might suggest?
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
Find a news story about a local community
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
group that is trying to improve the quality of
life in your area. Make a list of their
VOCAB U LARY
morosely, adv
in a gloomy manner
stew, n
a state of worr y or confusion
weariness, n
extreme tiredness
suggestions for changing the community.
Do you agree or disagree with their ideas?
Why or why not?
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CHAPTER
9
The Animals Have a Meeting
Let’s Discuss
1. How do the different animals
react to the idea of a meeting?
2. What is Rebecca the coyote like?
3. What stories about Amanda does
Rebecca remember?
4. How does Philip’s mother react to
his idea about a meeting?
5. How does a remark of Gloria’s
remind Philip of something
Amanda said?
6. Why do you think Philip is
nervous about the meeting?
7. Why do you think so many
animals come to the meeting?
8. What does Hubert do to support
Philip?
9. Why do you think Philip makes
excuses for Amanda’s behavior by
saying she is “just a little wild”?
10. Make a prediction: What do you think Philip will suggest to the group?
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
aloof, adj
standoffish, unconcerned about others
Look through the newspaper for as
many animal names as you can find.
Classify the animals into domesticated
and wild.
K E E P
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VOCAB U LARY
ruefully, adv
with regret
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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
fixed, adj
unchanging
CHAPTER
10
What to Do About Amanda
Let’s Discuss
1. What suggestions do the other
animals have for stopping Amanda?
2. What is so surprising about Philip’s
idea?
3. How do the animals respond to
Philip’s idea?
4. What does Philip see in the Grove
Street house that makes him believe
that Amanda is still stealing?
5. Why do you think Amanda steals
only junk?
6. Why do you think Amanda is driving
the car instead of Joe?
7. How has Amanda's appearance
changed since the last time Philip
saw her?
8. Why do you think Joe is so unhappy
with Amanda’s loot?
9. Why do you think Philip doesn’t talk to Amanda while he is in the house?
10. Make a prediction: How will Philip prevent Amanda from robbing the judge’s
house?
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
adept, adj
skillful
Find newspaper ads for makeup and
dye that Amanda could use for her
new look. Total the costs of the
different supplies.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
gilt-edged, adj
having gold-plated trim
stealth, n
secrecy
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CHAPTER
11
The Denver & Rio Grande Rolls Again!
Let’s Discuss
1. Why are the animals in such a
hurry to capture Amanda?
2. What do the animals gather
as fuel for the train?
3. What other items do the
animals get that are necessary
to run the train?
4. How does Philip’s mother
help?
5. How will the animals know
when Amanda leaves to go to
the judge’s house?
6. Why is Amanda so excited
about robbing Judge Peebles’s
house?
7. How do the different animals
help run the train?
8. Why does it take the train so
long to get started?
9. What unfortunate accident does Hubert have?
10. Make a prediction: What will happen with the
animals and the train?
Find a newspaper story that shows
people using teamwork to accomplish a
goal. How many people were involved?
What contribution did each make?
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
O N
VOCAB U LARY
piercing, adj
shrill, penetrating
stench, n
extremely bad odor
swath, n
path
AMAN DA!
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
14
CHAPTER
12
Inside Judge Peebles’s House
Let’s Discuss
1. Why do you think the train
stopped at the end of the track?
2. How is Philip going to get the
other animals into the house?
3. Why is Philip so pleased with
the animals’ plan?
4. What kind of books does Judge
Peebles have in his house?
5. What is Judge Peebles doing
when Philip comes through the
chimney?
6. What causes Philip to stop
before he can get to the door to
let the animals in?
7. Why are Amanda and Joe
arguing?
8. What happens after Amanda
falls and crashes to the floor?
9. What happens to Amanda as a result of her fall?
10. Make a prediction: What will the judge do now?
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
gable, n
triangular par t of a roof
Look through your newspaper for
different kinds of transportation Philip
and the animals could have used to
get to Amanda. Explain how each one
could be a good choice.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
lurched, v
moved in a halting way
pitched, adj
at an extreme angle
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CHAPTER
13
Amanda Caught!
Let’s Discuss
1. How is Amanda’s attitude
different after her fall?
2. How does Philip hide Amanda
from the judge?
3. How does Amanda’s hiding place
affect her appearance?
4. What escape route do Philip and
Amanda try?
5. What does Judge Peebles do to
try to stop Philip and Amanda?
What happens as a result?
6. How do the judge and Philip fight
over Amanda? What happens?
7. What happens to Joe?
8. What surprises Amanda when
she gets to the train?
9. How does Amanda’s attitude
change during her rescue?
10. Make a prediction: How will the
animals teach Amanda a lesson?
Look at hardware and department store
ads for five items Philip could have used
to help Amanda escape from the
judge’s house. Explain how Philip could
use each one.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
O N
VOCAB U LARY
predicament, n
a difficult situation
reeled, v
walked in an unsteady fashion
smithereens, n
small pieces
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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
CHAPTER
14
Amanda Learns Her Fate
Let’s Discuss
1. Where do the animals put Amanda
when they return to the park?
2. Why is Hubert selected as the
judge?
3. Why do you think none of the
animals wants to defend Amanda?
4. How has Amanda endangered the
animal community?
5. What is Amanda’s response to the
charges against her?
6. What are Rebecca’s arguments in her
case against Amanda?
7. What are Philip’s arguments in his
case defending Amanda?
8. What is Amanda’s sentence? Do you
think it is fair? Why or why not?
9. How do Philip and Gloria feel about
Amanda’s attitude after her trial?
10. Make a prediction: Do you think Amanda will change? Why or why not?
Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush
NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY
blustery, adj
with strong wind gusts
Read the community calendar section
of your newspaper. Find three things
Amanda could do to help your
community. Explain why they would be
good choices.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
VOCAB U LARY
consequences, n
results, effects of actions
forcibly, adv
in a strong way
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Additional Activities
1.
3.
Draw a picture of your favorite event in the
story (e.g., Philip eating granola, Amanda
stealing small items, Amanda in her “punk”
look, the animals riding on the train to save
Amanda, the trial).
Collect comic strips that involve animals. In
what ways are the cartoon animals depicted as
having behaviors that are natural to their
species? In what ways are animals given
human characteristics?
2.
4.
Many words in this story relate to stealing.
Discuss these vocabulary words, which are
related to stealing.
Use resource books and the Internet to learn
more about the habits of raccoons. In what
ways are Amanda and Philip like real raccoons?
In what ways are they different from real
raccoons?
Steal–to take the property of someone else,
especially as a habitual or regular
practice.
5.
Thievery–stealing, especially stealthily or
secretly.
Complete the graphic organizers that follow in
this guide to help students understand story
elements.
Burglary–breaking into a building,
especially the home of another person,
with the intent to steal. In legal terms,
burglary is a felony, a serious crime with
the punishment of at least a year in jail.
Joe stole items that would probably
qualify his crime as a felony. Amanda’s
stolen items would not have value in legal
terms.
• Story Elements
• Story Zigzag
• Compare Amanda With Philip
Robbery–taking personal property from
someone under threat of violence. In
legal terms, robbery requires face-to-face
contact with another person.
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Story Elements
There are seven main elements in stories. Fill in the table below to show these elements in
Keep Your Eye on Amanda!
Element
Keep Your Eye on Amanda!
Beginning-middle-end
What is the setting and conflict?
Who are the characters?
Repetition
What words, phrases or events
are repeated?
Plot
What is the sequence of events in
the story? What conflict occurs?
Setting
What is the story’s time and place?
Characters
Who are the people and animals in
the story?
Theme
What is the main point of the story?
Point of view
Is the story told through the eyes of one
character? Is the story told from the point
of view of an outside observer? (The
author knows everything about the
characters and action.)
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Story Zigzag
Write words from the story that illustrate the different story elements from Keep Your Eye on Amanda! on
the zigzag lines below.
PLO
S
IN
ETT
CON
RES
O
YO U R
G
FLIC
T
IO
T
U
L
THE
K E E P
T
EYE
N
ME
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Compare Amanda and Philip
Complete the Venn diagram below to show how Philip and Amanda are alike and how they are different.
Amanda
K E E P
Philip
YO U R
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Amanda’s Crossword
ACROSS
1 in a strong way
5
9
11
13
17
19
20
22
small pieces
moved in a halting way
path
at an extreme angle
frustration
extreme embarrassment
skillful
small structure on the top of a roof
DOWN
2 with regret
4
6
7
8
10
12
14
15
16
18
19
21
23
rude
walked unsteadily
small amount
said in a thoughtful way
try to make someone feel better
extremely bad odor
curled up in a ball
stylish, neat and trim
difficult situation
state of worry or confusion
in a sneaky way
channel in a chimney
bad situation
3 unchanging
KEEP YOU R EYE ON AMAN DA!
22
Amanda’s Word Search
ADEPT
FLUE
PITCHED
SMITHEREENS
ALOOF
FORCIBLY
PLIGHT
STENCH
CONSOLE
HUNCHED
PREDICAMENT
SWATH
CUPOLA
IMPOLITE
RASH
SWOONED
DAPPER
LURCHED
REELED
EXASPERATION
MOROSELY
SCANT
FIXED
MUSED
SLYLY
K E E P
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Answers to Chapter Questions
Chapter 1:
Introduces Philip and Amanda
Chapter 3:
What Happened to Amanda?
1. The house is dark; Amanda saw people moving out;
there are no curtains and there is no smoke coming
from the chimney.
2. In a train in Central Park in Boulder, Colorado.
3. Answers may vary. She thinks Amanda takes too
many chances.
4. Answers may vary. She makes fun of him and uses
arguments to persuade him.
5. He is asleep.
6. They could be caged, skinned and eaten.
7. Answers may vary.
8. Answers may vary. Philip is more responsible and
less adventurous.
9. Answers may vary. He is more fearful; he has a
greater sense of right and wrong.
10. Answers will vary.
1. Answers may vary. She says she is starving and that
she is just getting food for her mother.
2. He says that it isn’t his food and that he is just
putting the empty house to good use.
3. Answers may vary. He says he feels sorry for the
empty house and that his being there makes the
house feel better.
4. He says he is a “re-user.”
5. She says raccoons are often accused of being thieves
themselves.
6. She says she knows the city and that she is small
enough to get into small places—so she could get
into houses easily.
7. Answers may vary. She likes excitement and danger.
8. Answers may vary. He was worried; he felt
responsible for her; he was determined to help her.
9. Answers may vary. She has shaggy, gray fur and
droopy eyes.
10. Answers will vary.
Chapter 2:
Inside the House
1. Amanda likes dry dog food; Philip likes granola.
2. He reminds himself of Amanda’s argument that it
was left behind by the people who moved.
3. He knocks over a bottle of oil. Later, the man in the
house slips and falls because of the slippery oil on
the floor.
4. He is wearing a brown suit and tie; he wears dark
sunglasses.
5. She feels she can talk her way out of anything.
6. Philip is frightened, but Amanda is confident and
unafraid.
7. Philip runs between the man’s legs and makes him
fall.
8. Answers may vary.
9. Answers may vary. Trap them; call animal control.
Keep them as pets.
10. Answers will vary.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
Chapter 4:
Philip Returns to the House
1. Answers may vary. He can’t sleep. He is afraid
Amanda might be hurt; he is determined to help
her.
2. His parents had traveled in the train for many years.
They told him a lot of stories about the train.
3. Answers may vary. She says she has rescued too
many cubs before. She is very tired.
4. Answers may vary. She says Amanda is clever and
can probably take care of her own problems.
5. He goes down the chimney.
6. She thinks he is thrilling and resourceful. She
thinks “reusing” items is responsible behavior.
7. Raccoons are nocturnal animals. They do a lot of
their scavenging and eating at night.
8. The story says that the thief seems to be small
enough to go down chimneys and enter homes
through narrow window openings.
9. Answers may vary. He can’t believe Amanda would
want to do anything that is so bad.
10. Answers will vary.
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Chapter 5:
Amanda and Joe
Chapter 7:
Philip Goes for Help
1. She thinks Joe is being too cautious, like her brother.
2. She goes through an open window and opens the
door from the inside.
3. Joe steals items he can resell, such as silverware and
electronics. Amanda steals what many people would
consider junk–broken pieces of plastic, an empty
can, and a bent spoon.
4. Peanut butter.
5. Amanda accidentally sets off the alarm system.
6. Answers may vary. He is angry with Joe for making
Amanda steal. He feels sure Amanda is being forced
to help Joe.
7. She reminds him that he hurt her paw when he first
found her in the Grove Street house.
8. Answers may vary. He is shocked. He doesn’t want
to believe it.
9. Answers may vary. They carried the items in bags.
10. Answers will vary.
1. He hides under a woman’s long coat.
2. He believes that judges are wise.
3. The police chief tells the judge that he suspects the
park animals are involved in the rash of thefts.
4. He thinks most are lazy, except for cows and horses.
He thinks wild animals should be hunted.
5. The police blame all the animals for the thefts. They
are going to punish all the animals.
6. Answers may vary. She doesn’t seem overly upset
about Judge Peebles’s statements. She is too tired to
do anything.
7. He is afraid of both the police and the other park
animals.
8. He hears the police saying that Judge Peebles told
them they can go after the park animals.
9. Answers may vary. He doesn’t want to get caught by
the police. He can’t deal with Amanda’s problems.
He feels the community’s disapproval.
10. Answers will vary.
Chapter 6:
Philip Learns a Few Things
Chapter 8:
Philip Runs Away
1. Answers may vary. She is having fun. She doesn’t
want him to tell her what she should do.
2. Answers may vary. She has changed. She has a
different life now.
3. Answers may vary. She likes excitement. She thinks
Philip is too dull.
4. Answers may vary. He thinks it might help Amanda
but at the same time, he doesn’t want to cause
trouble. It seems like a drastic step to go to the
police.
5. Answers may vary. He realizes that Amanda is right.
He doesn’t do exciting things.
6. Answers may vary. He is hungry and has to look for
food. He doesn’t want to face his mother and he
wants time alone to think about Amanda.
7. Answers may vary. He learns that the other animals
already know about Amanda. They are angry
because Amanda is giving all the animals a bad
name.
8. Answers may vary.
9. Answers may vary. He has a sense of duty to the
other animals and to Amanda.
10. Answers will vary.
K E E P
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EYE
1. Answers may vary. He is unhappy because he
doesn’t know what to do about Amanda.
2. Answers may vary. She is old; she has mothered 53
cubs.
3. His friend Hubert, a skunk.
4. Answers may vary. He is too embarrassed to talk
about Amanda. He is ashamed to be running away.
5. He realizes he doesn’t want to be alone. Hubert
would be a good listener.
6. He talks about the time when Amanda organized
roller blade races on the mall, and another time
when she took over a school lunch room.
7. Answers may vary. As a skunk, he might be very
sensitive to the word “stinks.”
8. He suggests that the animals should have a meeting
to discuss what to do about Amanda. Together, they
might be able to find a solution.
9. Answers may vary. He had thought the other
animals were angry at him and wouldn’t want to
help him.
10. Answers will vary.
O N
AMAN DA!
25
Chapter 9:
The Animals Have a Meeting
Chapter 11:
The Denver & Rio Grande Rolls Again!
1. There is mixed reaction; some are excited and some
are cautious.
2. She has squinty eyes and a fixed smile. She is vain;
she likes looking at a painting of herself. Philip is not
sure he trusts her.
3. Amanda challenged a university football team to a
game of Kick the Can. She once tried to dam up
Boulder Creek to make a hockey rink.
4. She isn’t sure anything will work with Amanda.
5. His mother says that Philip will have to do
something remarkable. That reminds Philip of
Amanda’s comment that he would have to do
something to surprise her.
6. Answers may vary. He was fearful of what the
animals might say; he has never talked to a big group
before.
7. Answers may vary. They want to save their homes in
the park.
8. He won’t let Rebecca boss Philip around.
9. Answers may vary. He loves his sister and believes in
her.
10. Answers will vary.
1. She is going to rob Judge Peebles’s house and he is
already angry at the animals.
2. Branches, twigs and nuts.
3. The cats looked for a source of fire, while the ducks
and geese got water for the boiler.
4. She tells him how to get the train running; she
checks the wheels; and she gives him advice on
running the train.
5. The cats watch the house on Grove Street and plan
to alert the others when Amanda and Joe leave.
6. Answers may vary. It is dangerous to rob such an
important man, especially when he is already angry
about the animals. It gives her a sense of power.
7. The raccoons feed wood into the fire; a squirrel
operates the lamp; Philip drives the train.
8. The train hasn’t run for many years. The levers, dials
and wheels are rusty.
9. In his excitement, he sprays one of the rabbits.
10. Answers will vary.
Chapter 12:
Inside Judge Peebles’s House
1. It doesn’t have the power to jump off the track.
2. Philip would climb down the chimney and open the
door or windows so the other animals could come
in.
3. He is sure it will surprise Amanda.
4. Books on law and hunting.
5. He is asleep in his chair.
6. He hears Joe and Amanda whispering in a bathroom.
7. Joe is afraid Amanda will fall from the medicine
cabinet and wake the judge.
8. The judge wakes up and comes after the intruders
with a gun.
9. She lays on the floor and seems dazed and confused.
10. Answers will vary.
Chapter 10:
What to Do About Amanda
1. The squirrels want to put her in a hole; the deer
suggests a committee talk to her; and the coyote says
to put her on trial.
2. He wants to use the train to get her even though the
train hasn’t been used in years.
3. They are enthusiastic.
4. He sees new junk—silver foil, bottle caps and
spoons.
5. Answers may vary. These are items that would
appeal to a raccoon because they are bright, shiny,
and colorful small objects.
6. Answers may vary. She likes excitement. She says
she “has to” drive; perhaps Joe doesn’t know how to
drive.
7. She wears makeup and jewelry and she has colored
her fur bright colors.
8. He sees it as junk; it is not something he can sell.
9. Answers may vary. He knows it wouldn’t do any
good.
10. Answers will vary.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
O N
AMAN DA!
26
Chapter 13:
Amanda Caught!
Chapter 14:
Amanda Learns Her Fate
1. She claims the burglaries weren’t her idea; she wants
Philip to help her.
2. He hides her in the toilet tank.
3. The water in the toilet tank causes her eyeliner to
run. The dye on her fur comes off and drips on the
floor.
4. They head for a window in the dining room.
5. He shoots at them with his shotgun. The blast blows
off the fur on top of Amanda’s head, leaving her bald.
The blast also shatters the window.
6. Philip tries to pull Amanda through the window, but
the judge holds on to her boots. Then Gloria helps
Philip pull Amanda free.
7. The judge falls on top of him, then Joe faints.
8. Answers may vary. She is surprised that Philip drove
the old train. She is also surprised when the other
animals push her into a corner and guard her.
9. At first she wants Philip to save her; after she is on
the train, she became angrier.
10. Answers will vary.
1. They put her in the jail the squirrels built.
2. With his black fur, he looks like a judge.
3. Answers may vary. The animals are angry because
she has caused them trouble. She is guilty.
4. The authorities are ready to clear the animals out of
the park. They could lose their homes.
5. She says the other animals are boring and it is their
fault that she had to look for more exciting things to
do.
6. She says Amanda knows that stealing is wrong and
that she has been told repeatedly not to steal. Yet
Amanda stopped stealing only when she was caught.
7. He says she is young and has too much energy. He
and his mother ask the court for mercy.
8. Answers may vary. She has to return everything she
stole and she has to work five hours a week for six
weeks picking up trash in the park.
9. They are pleased that she accepts her punishment,
but they are still worried because she still craves
excitement–she wants to drive the train.
10. Answers will vary.
KEEP YOU R EYE ON AMAN DA!
27
Trivia Questions
1. What kind of staircase did Philip
have to use to go from the second to
the first floor of the house on Grove
Street?
8. What food had Amanda prepared
when she took over the lunchroom
at University Hill School?
Pickled marshmallows and toothpasted
bananas.
A spiral staircase.
2. What kind of oil was in the bottle
Philip broke?
9. At what time did the animals hold
their meeting?
Peanut oil.
At 2:00 a.m.
3. What was the number of the train
that was the home to Philip, Amanda
and Gloria?
10. What color lipstick did Amanda
wear?
Deep purple.
Number 30.
11. What unlucky animal received
Hubert’s accidental spray?
4. What was Amanda’s injury when Joe
hit her with the broom?
A rabbit.
Her right paw was hurt.
12. What kind of chair was Judge
Peebles sitting in?
5. Where did Amanda find the peanut
butter that distracted her when she
and Joe were burglarizing a house?
A wingback chair.
On top of the refrigerator.
13. Who guarded Amanda when the
animals got her back on the train?
6. What kind of animal is Pickwick?
Squirrels, raccoons and rabbits.
A white cat.
14. How old was Amanda?
7. What request does Police Chief
Banyan make of Judge Peebles?
One year old.
He wanted permission to get rid of all
the wild animals in the park.
K E E P
YO U R
EYE
O N
AMAN DA!
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