Table of Contents
Novel Study Title Page for Students................................................................................................... 3
Before Reading............................................................................................................................................ 4
Who was George Selden?....................................................................................................................... 5
My Character Chart................................................................................................................................... 6
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 1 – 3.................................................................................................. 8
Vocabulary Study Chapters 1 – 3......................................................................................................... 9
Understanding the Story Chapters 1 – 3.......................................................................................... 10
Chapter Summary Chapters 1 – 3....................................................................................................... 11
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 4 - 6.................................................................................................. 12
Vocabulary Study Chapters 4 - 6......................................................................................................... 13
Understanding the Story Chapters 4 - 6........................................................................................... 14
Chapter Summary Chapters 4 - 6........................................................................................................ 15
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 7 - 9.................................................................................................. 16
Vocabulary Study Chapters 7 - 9......................................................................................................... 17
Understanding the Story Chapters 7 - 9........................................................................................... 18
Chapter Summary Chapters 7 - 9........................................................................................................ 19
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 10 - 12............................................................................................. 20
Vocabulary Study Chapters 10 - 12.................................................................................................... 21
Understanding the Story Chapters 10 - 12...................................................................................... 22
Chapter Summary Chapters 10 - 12................................................................................................... 23
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 13 - 15............................................................................................. 24
Vocabulary Study Chapters 13 - 15.................................................................................................... 25
Understanding the Story Chapters 13 - 15...................................................................................... 26
Chapter Summary Chapters 13 - 15................................................................................................... 27
Time for a Test!............................................................................................................................................ 28
Reading Log................................................................................................................................................. 30
Answer Key................................................................................................................................................... 31
Common Core State Standards............................................................................................................ 43
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Before Reading
Title of Book:
Author of Book:
Have you read anything by this author before? If so, what was it?
Look at the front cover. What hints do you think it gives about the story?
Read the back cover. What do you learn about the story from the back cover?
Based on the front and back covers, do you want to read this book? Why or why not?
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3
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 1 - 3
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
subsided
Definition:
scornfully
Definition:
peculiar
Definition:
wistfully
Definition:
sympathetically
Definition:
forlornly
Definition:
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Vocabulary Study
Chapters 1 - 3
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
subsided •
• strange, odd
wistfully •
• showing contempt, anger
scornfully •
• became quieter, less active
peculiar •
• understandingly
forlornly •
• longingly, hopefully
sympathetically •
• sadly, unhappily
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
peculiar
subsided
sympathetically
scornfully
forlornly
wistfully
1. The talking ____________________________________ as the movie began.
2. Mindy __________________________________ gave Ellen a hug after her painful visit to the dentist.
3. Jess ____________________________________ told her brother to leave her room immediately.
4. Mike, who had the flu, ________________________________ watched his friends playing outside.
5. The candle cast _________________________________ shadows around the room.
6. Rachel _________________________ watched the talent show hoping she would be on it one day.
A Little
Extra!
At the end of Chapter 1, the author uses many words and phrases to
describe the sounds of Times Square. List four of them here:
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 1 - 3
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 1, who are we told made
the newstand? ______
2. What is making the strange noise that
Mario and Tucker hear in Chapter 2? ______
(a) Mario.
(b) Paul.
(c) Papa.
(d) Tucker.
(a) A mouse.
(b) A cricket.
(c) A radio.
(d) A train.
Short Answer
3. According to Mario, how do you use a cricket to tell the temperature?
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 2, Mama Bellini says she does not want Mario to keep the cricket as a pet. Why?
A Little
Extra!
In Chapter 3, how does Chester say he got to New York?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
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Name:____________________________________________
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Chapter Summary
Chapters 1 - 3
1. If you could give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in Chapters 1 to 3?
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents the first three chapters.
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Common Core State Standards
This novel study is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (U.S.)
Grade 3
RL3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as
the basis for the answers.
RL3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions
contribute to the sequence of events.
RL3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from
nonliteral language.
RL3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as
chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
RL3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
L3.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
L3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3
reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L3.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 4
RL4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the
text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
RL4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to
significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
L4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 5
RL5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a
story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language
such as metaphors and similes.
L5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Novel Study
the cricket in times square
by George Selden
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