The Last Newspaper Boy in America



Last updated Monday, June 11, 2012

Author: Sue Corbett
Date of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 0142416967
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2012

Synopsis: Wil David can't wait to take over his brother's paper route. For years it has been tradition in his family to hand over the route to the next boy in line on his twelfth birthday and Wil is just about to turn twelve and get his chance to put his sidearm throw into action. But when the newspaper company cancels delivery to Wil's small town, it's up to him to fight to save the route. Along the way, he unravels a carnival mystery, exposes a con artist, rescues his little town, and becomes a true hero.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Has anyone here been a paper boy or girl before?
•  Who delivers the newspaper to your house?
•  Do you have any family traditions?

Vocabulary:
•  Restrain: to hold back, to control
•  Ironclad: unbreakable
•  Impeccable: flawless
•  Incapable: does not have the ability to
•  Barrettes: a clasp for holding a girl's hair back
•  Aerodynamic: deals with the motion of air or other gases
•  Parabola: a curve in the shape of a cone; the path an object thrown through the air.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you have anyone like Wil's Granny in your life?
•  What do you like to do at the fair?
•  How do you know if someone has a crush on you?
•  What were you allowed to do once you turned 9 years old?
•  Do you know anyone who is always taking pictures?
•  Why does Wil want to get Sonny away from Ann-Douglas?
•  Have you fallen asleep while reading?
•  Why does Wil's older brother sleep so much?

Craft ideas:
•  Design your own newspaper with the major events in your life

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!