Name: _____________________________
Mod: ____
Date: ______________
The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo
You will be reading, writing, discussing, and analyzing for the The Tiger Rising Project every
day for the next few weeks. Bring The Tiger Rising novel and composition notebook back
and forth from school, to home, and back again, every day of the week.
Keep all project writing in your English binder, English class folder, or other safe place.
This includes notes and final copies, both before and after they are graded.
All work to be handed in must be written in final copy form. Paragraphs must include
supporting textual details. Use complete sentences wherever possible. Each final copy
homework paper is a writing grade, and each will become more as the project moves on.
Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2
Before you read the book, look carefully at the cover. Think about what you believe the story
will be about. Use the cover illustration as well as the title for clues.
What might be the purpose of the page of writing right before the beginning of Chapter 1? Be
prepared to discuss this in class.
Read or reread Chapters 1 and 2.
Then do the following work, and write it up as a
final copy:
1. Locate this word in Chapter 2:
lurched (p. 7)
Using a dictionary, find the definition that most closely matches the meaning of the word as it is
used in the chapter. Write the word and the definition on paper. Then write the word in a
sentence that you create or borrow from the text. [See the template on Mr. Frost’s Site.]
2. Write one sentence that answers the following question. What kind of narrator is used by
the author of the book? In other words, is it a first person or third person narrator?
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The Tiger Rising Continued
Ideas to Keep in Mind:
Kate DiCamillo is an author who uses figurative language to create images. She often uses
similes in her writing. As you read, you will notice many similes in the story. Learn to
recognize them and to explain the image created by the simile.
Simile - uses “like” or “as” to compare one thing to another.
Ex. “He was orange and gold and so bright, it was like staring at the sun itself, angry
and trapped in a cage.” (The Tiger Rising, p. 2)
The statement above refers to the tiger. Rob discovers it in a cage in the woods next to the old
Beauchamp gas station building. The simile reinforces the fact of just how bright and amazing it
is for Rob to look at the tiger for the first time.
Metaphor - substitutes one thing directly for another.
Ex. He was so bright he was the sun itself.
Metaphors are much more difficult to understand than similes. We will discuss metaphors as
the project moves on. Here is an idea to think about: Authors use metaphors sometimes as a
bridge for creating certain images in the reader’s mind.
Chapters 3 and 4
Remember to title your paper, and number each section of the HW.
Read or reread Chapters 3 and 4.
Then do the following work, and write it up as a
final copy:
1. Locate this word in Chapter 4:
defiantly (p.12 top)
Using a dictionary, find the definition that most closely matches the meaning of the word as it is
used in the chapter. Write the word and the definition on paper. Then write the word in a
sentence that you create or borrow from the text.
2. Locate and write one simile from either Chapter 3 or Chapter 4. Be sure to quote it
correctly. [See the template on Mr. Frost’s Site.]
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The Tiger Rising Continued
Ideas to Keep in Mind:
In Chapter 1, we read that Rob thought about the tiger rather than his itchy skin. “And he did
not think about his mother.” (p. 3) We discovered that he fantasized about becoming a suitcase
where he could keep all of his feelings inside. This idea of the closed suitcase is reinforced at the
end of Chapter 3, on page 10 when Rob thinks about the Sistine Chapel, and God and Adam, and
Sistine. What thoughts and feelings does Rob keep locked up so tightly in that imaginary
suitcase?
The Kentucky Star sign is an important symbol in this story. Early on in Chapter 1, Rob has
the idea that it will bring him good luck. Keep this symbol in mind as you work your way
through the story so that you can better understand how an author might introduce a symbol and
then use it for some important purpose later on.
Another idea to keep in mind is to observe the characters of Rob and Sistine and how they
play off of one another. Are they similar and/or different, and why is that important to the story?
Chapters 5 and 6
Read or reread Chapters 5 and 6.
Rob is given a note by the principal at the end of Chapter 5, and he begins to smile. What do
you think the following sentences mean in the second to last paragraph on page 17? “He
smiled because he knew something Mr. Phelmer did not know. He knew that his legs would
never clear up. He was free.” Take notes in your composition book as you
read, and be prepared to respond in class to the above sentences using details from earlier
on in the story.
You may also write things down on post-it notes as you read, and they are also useful
when marking places in your book that stand out for you in some way. We will be practicing
this method of annotation in class as we learn to make more meaning from what we read.
Something to Think About:
Rob is shown as being bullied early on in Chapter 2 of the story, and bullying comes up again
and again in Chapters 3, 4, and 6. Rob and Sistine are both victims of bullying and are actually
attacked by some of the same bullies. How are Rob and Sistine similar and/or different in how
they handle being victimized by others? Take notes in your composition book
as you read, and be prepared to respond in class to the above sentences using details
from earlier on in the story.
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The Tiger Rising Continued
Chapters 7 and 8
Remember to title your paper, and number each section of the HW.
Reread Chapters 7 and 8.
Then do the following work, and write it up as a final copy:
1. Locate this word in the chapter:
slathered (p. 27 bottom)
Using a dictionary, find the definition that most closely matches the meaning of the word as it is
used in the chapter. Write the word and the definition on paper. Then write the word in a
sentence that you create or borrow from the text.
2. Select one topic (either A or B) to write at least one paragraph about:
A. In Chapter 8 Rob begins to carve the tiger out of a piece of wood. He can see
the image of the animal clearly in his mind, but he completes something else
instead. What does he end up carving, and why do you think he ends up making
that piece instead? Remember to write in paragraph form.
B. What can you infer from Rob’s dream on page 30? When you write your
opinion, be sure to create an inference that is based on what the text states about
the dream and nothing else. Remember to write in paragraph form.
Something Else to Think About:
When we analyze literature, we first “close read” something, which means to read it very
carefully a number of times. We then form opinions about what we have read based on what we
have read and any background knowledge we may have that relates to the piece we are making
meaning from. Our analytic purpose is to generate (make) more meaning about what we are
reading so as to better understand what and how we read.
Remember that you may also write things down on post-it notes as you read, and
they are also useful when marking places in your book that stand out for you in some way. We
are practicing this method of annotation in class as we learn to make more meaning from what
we read.
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The Tiger Rising Continued
Chapters 9 and 10
Read or reread Chapters 9 and 10.
1. What do you think Rob really means when he makes the following statement? ‘“The rain
don’t bother me,’ Rob muttered.” (p. 32) Be sure to read both pages 32 and 33 before you give
your opinion based on what is said in the story. Take notes in your composition
book as you read, and be prepared to respond in class to the above sentences using
details from earlier on in the story.
Chapters 11 and 12
Remember to title your paper, and number each section of the HW.
Read or reread Chapters 11 and 12.
Then do the following work, and write it up
as a final copy:
1. Locate this word in the chapter:
composed (p. 40 middle)
Using a dictionary, find the definition that most closely matches the meaning of the word as it is
used in the chapter. Write the word and the definition on paper. Then write the word in a
sentence that you create or borrow from the text.
2. Describe one of the following characters from the picture of him/her you have created in
your mind. [Rob, Sistine, or Willie May] Build a character sketch (picture), and then make two
lists of describing words about the character. Label one list Looks and the other Actions. Put
one list on each side of the character sketch. Each list must have five characteristics.
More Things to Think About:
Back in Chapter 10 Willie May was introduced on page 35. On page 36 she told Rob that he
had to stay in school, and on page 37 that he had a sadness that was making him sick. Willie
May is a minor but important character who will have a profound effect on this story. Keep an
observant eye on Willie May as we learn more about just why the author chose to include her in
the tale.
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The Tiger Rising Continued
In Chapter 13 Sistine walks away from a friendship, and Rob must make an important
decision. He watches Sistine walking away. He thinks again about his dream of Sistine riding
on the tiger. “And suddenly, he couldn’t bear the thought of watching her disappear again.” (p.
49) He goes after her and tells her to stop for him. She stops. “She waited for him with her
hands on her hips.” (p. 49) What does he tell her, and why might that be important to the story?
Also, did you notice the imagery in the first few lines on p. 49?
Chapters 13 and 14
Read or reread Chapters 13 and 14.
1. What do we learn about Sistine’s father on page 46 of Chapter 13? There are two important
details in the text that we learn as we read so think about how you might answer this question
so that we can discuss it in class. This is a textually-based question (TBQ) so it
requires a textually-based answer (TBA).
2. As you read, think about A and B below:
A. How did Sistine end up living in Lister, Florida? Find the answer in Chapter
13. Is this a textually-based question (TBQ) or not?
B. What do you think is meant by the following sentence found near the
beginning of Chapter 13? “He stared at Sistine’s shoes and willed his sadness to
go away.” (p. 47) Is this a textually-based question (TBQ) or not?
Take notes in your composition book as you read, and be prepared to
respond in class to A and B above using details from the story.
Another Thing to Think About:
The tiger is in a cage on page 50. What might be the significance of this image?
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The Tiger Rising Continued
Chapters 15 and 16
Read or reread Chapters 15 and 16.
Then do the following work, and write it up
as a final copy:
1. Locate this word in the chapter:
profile (p. 60 middle)
Using a dictionary, find the definition that most closely matches the meaning of the word as it is
used in the chapter. Write the word and the definition on paper. Then write the word in a
sentence that you create or borrow from the text.
2. There is dark versus light imagery on page 56, and again on page 62, and on page 56 we hear
about the suitcase again. Rob asks himself why he opened it, and then he scolds himself.
Answer either A or B below concerning these ideas:
A. What kind of meaning can you make concerning the following sentence?
“When his mother was alive, the world had seemed full of light.” (p. 56) Write
at least a few sentences sharing your opinion based on what you read.
B. Write your analysis of light versus dark imagery based on what you read on
page 56, beginning at the third paragraph and ending at the bottom of the page.
You may use any other thoughts or information that you have gained through
the reading of this story thus far. Write at least two paragraphs containing at least
two quotes regarding light and dark imagery and your opinion based on them.
Something to Think About:
On pages 58-60, in Chapter 16, the reader is told how Sistine got her name. We learn that she is
getting Rob to open up his suitcase of feelings and memories, and he is “cracking his suitcase
open…” (p. 60) What word does Rob say when he does this, and why does Sistine make him
say it?
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The Tiger Rising Continued
Important Project Notes:
1. When each graded HW is returned to you, put it with the other graded papers.
2. Keep The Tiger Rising handouts with the project papers.
3. This project makes up about four weeks total of your English grades.
4. Some of the directions for this project will be oral (verbal) ones. Be sure to write them
down on the pages of this packet or on attached loose-leaf paper.
5. There will be daily notes that must be taken in class. If you are absent, be sure to get
notes from one of your classmates who will have typed them on the computer.
Lost papers will come back to
haunt you, and will seriously jeopardize your writing, reading,
responsibility, and project (test) grades.
6. Do not lose this packet or any of your papers.
7. Use the word processor whenever possible for project work.
8. Quote all borrowed work properly. Mr. Frost will teach you how to accomplish that
feat.
9. On the final day of the The Tiger Rising Project, staple all of the written papers
together (Intro. – Ch. 30) in the upper left-hand corner, and turn in for project grades.
This is the end of Packet #1. Stay tuned for
Packet #2 of this project.
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