|
My Own Lightning
Last updated Monday, March 4, 2024
Author: Lauren Wolk
Date of Publication: 2022
ISBN: 0525555595
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Mar. 2024
Synopsis:
It has been several months since the tragic events set in motion by bully Betty Glengarry, and the routine of daily life in Wolf Hollow has slowly returned. But for Annabelle McBride it's hard to move forward and make peace with what feels like threadbare justice.
Newly warm summer days are about to bring a jolt of change on the winds of a powerful storm. In its wake, the search for her brother's missing dog will set Annabelle on a new path that brings her to unfamiliar doorsteps and reunites her with a too-familiar adversary - Andy Woodberry, who was complicit in Betty's most terrible acts. Growing up and blazing her own trail will soon force Annabelle to reexamine deeply felt truths - about people, about justice, about herself - that had once seemed so uncomplicated.
| Note to readers: |
| • |
This is a follow-up to the book Wolf Hollow, which was the 5th grade book in June 2016. The kids might want to read it to get the back story on Annabelle, Toby, Betty and Andy and what happened the previous fall.
|
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
(Reader – Read the above paragraph) The story begins in early summer of 1944 in western Pennsylvania farm country about 50 miles from Pittsburgh (Reader: If there is a globe or map in the room try to show them where Pittsburgh is on the map.)
Vocabulary
|
| • |
hollow: a small sheltered valley may have a watercourse running through it.
|
| • |
Zeus: most senior god in the list of Greek gods that include Apollo, Ares, Athena, etc.
|
| • |
drake: a male duck.
|
| • |
glen: a small narrow valley.
|
| • |
constable: an officer of the peace. May have some police and judicial authority, usually in a small town
or rural area.
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
Mr. Graf offers a reward of $10.00 to anyone who finds his dog. That would more that $175.00 in
today’s money. Would you want to find his dog for the reward? How to you think it might motivate
others to find the dog? Would they all have good intensions?
|
| • |
There is a thunder and lightning storm. This is something that happens frequently in other parts of the
country but not so often here in Los Angeles. I only recall two very short storms here in the last 6
months. Have you ever lived or visited a place where they have frequent, long thunderstorms? What
was it like?
|
| • |
It's only a short way into the book, but who do you think might have done what was essentially CPR on
Annabelle and saved her life?
|
| Craft ideas: |
| • |
Do you have a pet? Draw a picture of it.
|
| • |
Draw a picture of a thunderstorm.
|
| • |
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17 th . Make a greeting card. Make a 3-leaf clover with green paper or draw one
and color it in. Cut it out to wear on St. Patrick’s day.
|
| Special activities: |
| • |
Do the word search
|
*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!
|
