CONTENTS
Figurative Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750
Learn how authors use figurative language to make their
writing more interesting.
Vocabulary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .752
Read, write, and learn the meanings of new words.
“John Muir and Stickeen: An Icy
Adventure with a No-Good Dog” . . . . . .754
by Julie Dunlap and Marybeth Lorbiecki • illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
• Learn the features of historical fiction.
• Monitor comprehension by rereading sections of text
that you do not understand.
“John Muir: Extreme Explorer” . . . . . . . . . . . . . .770
by Crystal Hubbard • illustrated by Nenad Jakesevic
Read about John Muir’s exploration of Florida.
Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .772
• Compare texts.
• Review vocabulary.
• Reread for fluency.
• Write a letter.
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Genr
o r ic
e: His t
a l Fic t ion
G e n r e : B i o g r a p hy
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Figurative Language
You have learned that authors may use figurative language
to help readers clearly picture what is happening in a story.
Words and phrases used as figurative language may have a
literal, or direct, meaning that is different from the meaning
they have in the story. You can use context clues to understand
the meaning of figurative language, such as an idiom. To
understand the meaning of a simile or a metaphor, think
about the two things the author is comparing.
Figurative Language
Example
Meaning
The word part hyper means
“above” or “beyond.” This can help
you remember that hyperbole is
exaggeration.
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Read the paragraph below. The graphic organizer shows
the meaning of five examples of figurative language in
the paragraph.
Joanna woke up at the crack of dawn.
The cabin was cozy, but ice crystals
covered the windows like frosty lace.
Outside, the sun touched the frozen
ground. Joanna’s brother, Joe, was still
snoring a bassoon solo. “I wouldn’t want
to sleep my days away like Joe,” thought
Joanna.
Figurative Language
Idiom
Simile
Personification
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Example
Meaning
at the crack of dawn
ice crystals covered
the windows like
frosty lace
sun touched the
frozen ground
snoring a bassoon
solo
sleep my days away
at the first sign of daylight
The ice crystals looked like
lace on the windows.
sunlight was on the
ground
snoring loudly and deeply
waste my days sleeping
Try This
Find another example of figurative language in the
paragraph. What is the literal meaning of the words?
What is their meaning in the paragraph?
www.harcourtschool.com/storytown
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Build Robust Vocabulary
Snow Camp Diary
determined
dainty
pitiful
dedicated
coddled
endured
memorable
March 2 Today, my Alaskan snow camp
adventure began. What a disaster! Six of
us are happy to be here, but
one is not. Beatrice seems
determined to have a rotten
time. On our first hike,
she took dainty little steps
in the snow. Each time she
sank in past her ankles, she
made a pitiful whimper. She is
also a dedicated complainer. First,
she’s too cold. Then, she’s hungry. Then,
she’s tired. I wonder why she came to
camp at all.
We got into shape
at snow camp
by taking several
short hikes.
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March 4 Tomorrow, we are going to hike
to a stream and build a snow cave. Derek,
our counselor, called a meeting. “No one
will be coddled on our hike,” he said.
“You will all enjoy a fine adventure,
and I want you to work together.” As
if I hadn’t endured enough of Beatrice
already, Derek turned to me. “You and
Bea will be partners,” he said.
March 5 I don’t know what happened,
but Beatrice has come around! We worked
really well together. Our snow cave was
awesome! I’m happily surprised to say that
this trip will be one of my most memorable
experiences.
We all worked together to
build this snow cave.
www.harcourtschool.com/storytown
Word Detective
Your mission this week is to look for the
Vocabulary Words outside your classroom.
Pay attention when you are reading stories
and articles about people’s experiences. Write in your
vocabulary journal the words you find. Be sure to record
where you found each word.
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His t o r ic a l Fic t ion
Genre Study
Historical fiction is set in the
past and portrays people,
places, and events that did
happen or could have happened.
As you read, look for
• actual historical figures and
settings.
• historical events told in time
order.
First
Next
Then
Finally
Comprehension
Strategy
Monitor comprehension while
you read by stopping to reread
parts of the text that you did
not understand.
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Julie Dunlap and
Marybeth Lorbiecki
by
illustrated by
Bill Farnsworth
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C Ome a lOng On a t rip tO a laska
It’s 1880 and few American citizens have ventured up into Alaska, unless
they are after gold. But John Muir isn’t after gold, he’s after ice! He is out
to map glaciers—age-old rivers of slowly moving ice.
And he wants nothing to do with pets—especially the no-good,
stubborn, troublemaking dog, Stickeen, that his friend wants to bring along.
This is the true story of Muir’s voyage, based on his writings and journals.
John Muir was born in Scotland in 1838. He spoke with an accent
and used many Scottish expressions, like “ye” instead of “you.”
At the time of this Alaska trip, John Muir was not famous. He hadn’t
yet convinced President Roosevelt to create a national park in California
or helped to start the Sierra Club—a group dedicated to wilderness
adventures and protecting wild places. But he had been a farmer, inventor,
and wanderer through swamps, across prairies, and over mountains.
Muir had even herded sheep so he could live day and night in the
mountains. He learned to hate the sheep and cattle for gobbling and
trampling the mountain meadows. John was sure tame animals had lost
the quick brains and bold spirits he admired in wild ones.
That is, until one determined dog changed his mind.
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j
ohn Muir stared at his friend’s dog. Silky hair. Dainty paws.
And darkness in his eyes, like weather that could turn on you.
“Yer pet doesn’t belong on this trip,” John complained. “He’ll need
care like a baby.”
Hall Young just laughed. “Stickeen’s a wonder of a dog, Muir. He can
swim like a seal, stand cold like a bear.”
John scoffed. But the dog jumped into the boat. That’s how much
Stickeen cared for John Muir’s opinion.
“Ut-ha! Pull!” The expedition was off—to map Alaska’s glaciers.
The men leaned into their oars. John jotted notes and sketched.
He drew gulls slicing through the breeze and porpoises arching above
the waves. This was the life!
Then a thunderous crack echoed—CRRRRRRRRCH! A chunk of
glacier slammed into the water. Icy waves shot up. The canoe rocked.
Everyone fought to keep the canoe from tipping. Everyone except
Stickeen, his snout on the prow.
The waters finally quieted.
John glanced at the sopping-wet dog. Just as I thought. A lazy,
coddled pet, waiting for a towel-rub.
Stickeen saw John’s eyes on him. He crawled under Muir’s legs,
then shook himself dry.
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Hall and the crew hooted while John dripped.
At every landing, Stickeen was the first out. The dog went where
he wanted and ignored all calls to leave. At the last moment, there
would be Stickeen, paddling to catch up.
He’s not my problem, thought John.
His mind was on the wild mountains of ice. Muir had such a crazy
love of glaciers, the natives called him Glate Ankow, “Ice Chief. ”
At each camp, John tramped into the forest and over mountains,
scribbling notes along the way. And who began tagging along?
Stickeen!
“Get on with ye,” John shouted. “Ye’re not fit for the wild!” He
waved his arms. He threw pinecones. He ignored the dog.
Nothing worked.
Every day, there he’d be, that dog, following Muir. Not close enough
to be friendly. Never a tail wag. Never a lick or a look or a bark of
greetings.
Stickeen seemed as cold and silent as a glacier.
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One night, John and Lot left camp in the
dark to catch supper. Thousands of salmon fins
churned the stream into silver fire. Then from a
far bank came a steady comet-like blaze toward
them—like a huge beast chasing the fishermen.
Lot rowed hard.
Inches from the boat, the “monster” lifted its
head. Muir roared with laughter. “Stickeen!”
What a puzzle was that bothering little dog.
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The last morning in Glacier Bay was as wild
and dark as an angry grizzly. Tomorrow, the
expedition would have to turn for home. The ice
called to Muir, rousing him from a deep sleep. He
slipped from the tent, careful not to wake the
others or Stickeen.
Not far from camp, John spotted a shadow
slipping behind him through the trees.
“Go back to camp and have yer breakfast!”
John yelled. “This storm will kill ye!”
But Muir should have known. Stickeen was
more stubborn than he. Beaten, John offered the
drenched dog a bit of his biscuit.
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John hiked up rocky slopes, leaving the dog to do as he wished.
A shaft of sun split the storm. Ahead stood the king of glaciers!
Hacking ice-steps with his ax, Muir climbed the blue wall. Stickeen
scrambled after. On top, an endless sheet of ice stretched before
them.
John hiked and sketched for hours, with an eye on the sky. He
skipped over small ice cracks and zigzagged around deep crevasses.
Stickeen followed.
The clouds blackened again. Muir had to hurry back to camp or
face a night on the glacier without tent or fire. He ran hard through
the swarming snow, the dog close at his heels. Both were hungry,
soaked, and aching from cold.
Then John stopped. Stickeen looked up at him. It was as if the
dog knew.
Muir was lost.
Backtracking, John used lines in the ice and wind direction to find
his way. Stickeen tracked him like a trooper. At one broad gash, Muir
peered down, down, down. Only one spot was narrow enough to leap
across. And the far side was much lower. If he jumped down, he could
never jump back up.
John hurdled across and down, wobbling on the slippery edge.
Stickeen landed after Muir, not a hair to spare. But he trotted on,
unrattled. Did nothing scare this dog?
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Within minutes, the widest crack yet blocked
their way. They were marooned on an island of ice.
Kneeling, John saw one slim chance of escape.
Far below, a sagging sliver of ice bridged the
chasm. Could it hold their weight? Stickeen nudged
his shoulder. “Hush yer fears, wee beastie,” John
crooned softly.
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Chip, chip, chip. He carved one heel hold, then another, down the
ice-canyon’s wall.
Ever so slowly, Muir lowered his body onto the sagging bridge.
It held.
Stickeen paced the rim. He began to whimper.
Legs dangling, John shaved flat the ice before him. He hitched
himself forward, smoothing a path two-paws wide.
Mournful cries called to him from above.
Somehow, John’s cold-clumsy hands cut a ladder up the other
side of the canyon and he hauled himself out of danger. But he didn’t
rejoice.
He looked back for the dog. Could that pitiful creature, wailing and
pacing, be Stickeen? “Come on, come on,” Muir pleaded. “Ye can do it,
wee boy!”
Then Stickeen lay down. His howls dipped and screeched.
John tried ordering him. “Stop yer nonsense!”
Shaking, Stickeen replied with more miserable wails.
Time was running out. With nightfall, Stickeen would likely fall or
freeze to death. Could John return to camp for help and grope his
way back in the dark?
No. The dog had to do it on
his own. Now.
“Stickeen, poor boy,” Muir
said. “Don’t ye see there’s
nothing I can do!”
The dog did not stir.
It was the last thing in the
world he wanted to do, but John
turned and walked away.
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Stickeen’s howls pierced the
wind as Muir’s back disappeared
in the swirling gloom.
Stickeen’s cries and shivers
drained away. He pressed himself against the
ice and slid his front paws, then his back, over
the edge. Hair by hair, down each step.
Then a final sliding of muscle and fur, and
he made it to the little bridge of ice.
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But how far he still had to go! His tail fell to half mast. His body
began to shake, more fiercely than before. The wind sharpened, nearly
pushing Stickeen off the ice bridge.
Then the dog glanced up at the rim.
John was peering down. He had never really left.
The dog’s tail flew over his back. Steady as the pelting snow,
Stickeen moved over John’s bridge-way path.
But at the wall, Stickeen stopped and eyed the towering cliff.
Dogs are poor climbers, John knew.
Would Stickeen try?
Stickeen launched skyward, scrabbling up the wall and over the top.
“Well done,” John cheered. “Well done, my boy!” He reached out for
the dog, but Stickeen whizzed past, whirling, dancing, rolling head over
heels. Squealing, the dog spun and charged at John, nearly knocking
him down. A gleam in Stickeen’s eyes shouted, “Saved! Saved at last!”
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Nothing could frighten them now. All the
cracks they met seemed puny and easily hopped.
Through the darkness, they spotted Lot’s
campfire.
Stickeen staggered to a blanket by the fire.
The men rubbed John dry as he spun out
the tale of their storm battle for life. Stickeen
had proven that his spirit was as fine as any wild
creature’s—or any human’s.
“Yon’s a brave doggie,” John declared, nodding
to Stickeen. Stickeen answered with a heavy
thump of his tail.
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For the rest of their voyage, the dog sat by John in the canoe by
day and slept by his side at night. Stickeen and the Ice Chief endured
many more adventures on the trip south.
At Sitka, Alaska, John had to leave his companions to catch a
steamship home to California. The crew had to hold the struggling
dog while John stepped onto the pier. Stickeen stood in the canoe—
howling, howling—his mournful good-bye carried on the winds.
John never forgot his brave friend. Muir devoted himself to
protecting wild lands, talking to presidents, giving speeches, and
writing books about our need for nature’s freedom and beauty. But
he always had time to tell his favorite tale of Stickeen’s struggle for
life on the ice in Glacier Bay. He called their adventure “the most
memorable of all my wild days.”
In two books written late in life, Stickeen and My Boyhood and
Youth, Muir urged readers to love all of the Earth’s creatures, both
wild and tame. Stickeen had shown something to Muir. Animals
were much more like humans than John had thought. In Stickeen, the
Ice Chief had found his kindred spirit.
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think
critically
1
Why did John Muir and his crew go to Alaska?
2
Did the authors clearly show what Stickeen was feeling
and thinking? Give some examples from the stor y to
suppor t your answer. AUTHOR’S CRAFT
3
In your experience, are dogs normally as brave as
Stickeen was? Explain. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
4
The authors write that the last morning in Glacier Bay
“was as wild and dark as an angr y grizzly.” What kind of
figurative language is this phrase? What does it mean?
NOTE DETAILS
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
5
WR ITE John Muir’s feelings about Stickeen changed
during the stor y. Use information and details from the
stor y to explain:
• how John Muir felt about Stickeen at the
beginning of the stor y, and
• what happened on the trip to make Muir’s
feelings about Stickeen change. EXTENDED RESPONSE
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About the Authors
j ulie d unlap
Julie Dunlap (right) has written picture books,
biographies, and natural history books for
young people of all ages. She studied forestry
and the environment in college. Julie Dunlap
also volunteers as a naturalist in Columbia,
Maryland, where she lives with
her family.
m arybeth l Orbiecki
Marybeth Lorbiecki (left) was born in
Germany and grew up in Minnesota. She
likes writing about history and nature, and
she believes young readers should have a
wide range of literature available to them.
About
the
Illustrator
b ill f arnswOrth
Before he starts painting, Bill Farnsworth
researches his subjects and takes
photographs of the things he plans to
draw. Many of his illustrations, portraits,
and landscapes have the look and feel
of photographs.
www.harcourtschool.com/storytown
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Social Studies
B i o g r a p hy
by Crystal Hubbard
illustrated by Nenad Jakesevic
Scottish explorer John Muir
climbed glaciers and mountain peaks
with only a walking stick and a pair of
boots. When Muir decided to explore
Florida, he did it as simply as he
could—he walked.
Muir left Louisville, Kentucky, on
September 1, 1867. He planned to
walk a thousand miles to Cedar Keys,
Florida. He took only the gray suit he
had on, a change of clothes, and three
books. A lot of people thought Muir
was insane. Why would anyone walk so
far just to look at plants? On October
15, Muir reached northeastern Florida.
He decided that the walk was worth
every step. He saw plants and land that
were strange and new to him. Florida
was more exciting than Muir had
imagined.
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Muir set off immediately to explore groves
of trees he had never before seen. In his
journal, Muir described Florida as a “watery
and vine-tied land” because of the swampy
coast and vine-covered trees.
From the northeastern corner of Florida,
Muir made his way southwest to the Gulf
Coast. There he saw his first palmetto. The
palmetto plant looks like a cross between
a broomstick and a palm tree. Muir hiked
through miles of alligator-filled swamps to
see a grove of palmettos that was seven
miles long.
Muir had very little money.
Strangers often shared their meals with
him. Sometimes they gave him a place to sleep
at night.
Muir spent a long time exploring the
islands of the Cedar Keys. He drew the
junipers, long-leafed pines, and oaks that
grew there. He observed herons, pelicans,
and mockingbirds. He collected samples of
colorful flowers in the marshes and swamps.
The streams and rivers of Florida confused
Muir. He expected them to run downhill, to
a lake or an ocean. Instead, Florida’s waters
seemed to stand still.
Muir left Florida and spent some time
exploring Cuba. He missed living in the
United States, though, and in 1868 he sailed
to California. There he discovered new
mountains, valleys, and forests to explore.
Muir observed many birds while exploring the Cedar
Keys.
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Comparing Texts
1. Would you have liked exploring Glacier Bay by
canoe with John Muir and Stickeen? Explain.
2. Compare “John Muir and Stickeen” with “John
Muir: Extreme Explorer.” How is the information
in the selections alike? How is it different?
3. How have explorers like John Muir added to our
knowledge of the world?
Vocabulary Review
Word Pairs
e
They endured th
difficult training
ere
because they w
in.
determined to w
Work with a partner. Write each Vocabulary Word on
a separate index card, and place the cards face down.
Take turns flipping over two cards and writing a
sentence that uses both words. Read aloud the sentence
to your partner. If you have used both words correctly,
keep the cards. The student who has more cards at the
end wins.
dedicated
determined
dainty
coddled
pitiful
endured
memorable
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Fluency Practice
Par tner Reading
With a partner, choose two
paragraphs from “John Muir
and Stickeen” to reread. Read the
paragraphs aloud as your partner listens.
Ask your partner for feedback about your
expression. Then reread the passage, keeping
your partner’s feedback in mind. Switch roles,
and listen as your partner reads.
Writing
Write a Letter
Imagine that you went along on
John Muir’s expedition. Use your
imagination, along with information
from the selection, to write a letter to
a friend describing the expedition.
First
Next
Organization
✔ I used a grap
to plan my w
✔
hic organizer
riting.
I organized th
e events I
described in ti
✔
me order.
I used figurati
in my writing
ve language
to make the
descrip tions liv
ely and
interesting.
Then
Finally
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