Signal - Junior Library Guild

Signalby Cynthia DeFelice

JLG Reading Guide Copyright © 2009

Junior Library Guild7858 Industrial Parkway

Plain City, OH 43064www.juniorlibraryguild.com

ISBN: 978-1-93612-910-2

Copyright © 2009 Junior Library Guild/Media Source, Inc. 1

SignalBy Cynthia DeFelicePublished by Farrar, Straus and GirouxCopyright © 2009 by Cynthia DeFeliceISBN: 978-0-374-39915-3

About JLG GuidesJunior Library Guild selects the best new hardcover children’s and YA books

being published in the U.S. and makes them available to libraries and schools, often before the books are available from anyone else. Timeliness and value mark the mission of JLG: to be the librarian’s partner. But how can JLG help librarians be partners with classroom teachers?

With JLG Guides. JLG Guides are activity and reading guides written by people with experience in both children’s and educational publishing—in fact, many of them are former librarians or teachers. The JLG Guides are made up of activity guides for younger readers (grades K–3) and reading guides for older readers (grades 4–12), with some overlap occurring in grades 3 and 4. All guides are written with national and state standards as guidelines. Activity guides focus on providing activities that support specific reading standards; reading guides support various standards (reading, language arts, social studies, science, etc.), depending on the genre and topic of the book itself. JLG Guides can be used both for whole class instruction and for individual students. Pages are reproducible for classroom use only, and a teacher’s edition accompanies most JLG Guides. Research indicates that using authentic literature in the classroom helps improve students’ interest level and reading skills. You can trust JLG to provide the very best in new-release books, and now to enhance those selections by giving your school the tools to use those books in the classroom. And in case you think we forgot the librarians, be sure to check out the Library Applications page, shown on the table of contents in each guide. From all of us at Junior Library Guild, we wish you and your students good reading and great learning . . . with JLG Selections and JLG Guides.


SignalBy Cynthia DeFelice

JLG Guide created by School Street Media for Junior Library Guild

Table of Contents

..................................................................................................About the Book and Author 4

................................................................................................................Prereading Activities 5

.....................................................Activating Prior Knowledge: Moving to a New Home 6

................................................................................................Setting a Purpose for Reading 7

........................................................................................................................Chapters 1, 2, 3 8

......................................................................................................................Chapters 4, 5, 6 11

......................................................................................................................Chapters 7, 8, 9 13

................................................................................................................Chapters 10, 11, 12 15

................................................................................................................Chapters 13, 14, 15 17

................................................................................................................Chapters 16, 17, 18 19

..............................................................................................................................Chapter 19 22

..................................................................................................................................Wrap-up 23

..............................................................................................................Library Applications 24

.........................................................................................Suggestions for Further Reading 25

....................................................................................Correlations to National Standards 26

A school may reproduce copies of the pages in this book for use in its classrooms or library. Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted, stored, or recorded in any form without written permission from the publisher. For permissions questions, contact Junior Library Guild.


About the Book and Author

When Owen meets Cam, Cam is injured and living in an abandoned shack. Cam claims she’s an alien who has left her cruel Earth family and is trying to contact her real parents. Whatever the truth is, Owen knows one thing for sure: Cam needs his help.

JLG reviewers say:

• The writing is simple, clear, and fast-paced.• Owen’s voice is believable.• Cam and Owen are realistic and incredibly sympathetic characters.• A touching story about loneliness, despair, and relationships.• The question of whether Cam is telling the truth—and, if not, whether she

believes what she is saying—adds tension to the plot.

Cynthia DeFelice explains, “The idea for Signal came to me when I was on a morning run with my dog, a German short-haired pointer named Josie. I imagined us following a mysterious and somewhat sinister trail of blood. Who or what would we find at its end? “Another day, as I stood on the edge of an immense corn field, I was sure that I heard someone—or something—panting just a few yards away, hidden by the corn plants that loomed over my head. I was spooked! But I knew I wanted to use that experience in a book someday. “There are certain things that will always have a hold on my imagination: a deserted house, a child in trouble, the mysterious phenomenon of crop circles, the possibility of life on other planets. I was able to weave all these into the book.”

Topics: Moving homes. Loneliness. Dogs. Child abuse. Friendship. Helping others. Aliens. Crop circles. Family relationships. Imagination.


Prereading Activities

Book Summary Owen spends his summer wandering around the new town and surrounding countryside where he and his father have recently moved. His dog, Josie, is always nearby, Owen’s closest—and only—friend. Owen and his dad hardly talk to one another since Owen’s mom died. Then Owen meets up with a strange girl, Campion (or Cam) hiding out in an abandoned house out in the country. She tells Owen about how she’s been held by a man and woman and how the man has beaten her up, causing her to run away. Her real parents, she explains, are from a planet called Home, and they are returning to pick her up as soon as she can build a signal to show them where she is. Owen agrees to help Cam build the signal, and he thinks he just might go with her to see what Home is like.

Understanding Genre: Fiction

1. What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction?

2. Above is a summary of Signal. What do you expect to read in this book that will be realistic?

3. What seems unrealistic in the summary?

4. Why are the characters so important in a book like this?

5. List some books of fiction you have read.


Activating Prior Knowledge

Moving to a New HomeOwen finds himself alone in a new town. Have you ever moved to a new place? If so, answer the questions below about that experience. If you have not moved to a new place, interview someone who has by having them answer the questions below.

Name of the person who moved: ______________________________

Age at that time: _______________________

Place moved to: _________________________________

1. Why did you and your family move?

2. How was your old home different from your new home?

3. Describe your closest friends at the old place.

4. How did you first feel when you moved?

5. How long did it take for you to find your first friend at the new place?

6. How did you meet him or her?

7. In what ways was your new home better than your old one?

8. How do you feel now about moving to the new place?


My purpose for reading Signal is ____________________

____________________

___________________.

Setting a Purpose for Reading

Setting a PurposeEvery time you read something, you have a reason, or purpose, for reading it. Here are some examples of how readers have set their purpose for reading:

I will read this article because I want to learn more about Egyptian mummies. I will read these directions because I want to know how to put this model together. I will read the newspaper to find out about my community. I will read this book because I enjoy mysteries.

Reread the summary of the book, Signal, on page 5. To set a purpose for reading, begin by asking yourself questions that begin with these questioning words:


Who ________________

_____________________

_____________________?

_____________________

______________________

______________________

How ________________

_____________________

_____________________?

_____________________

______________________

______________________

What ________________

_____________________

_____________________?

_____________________

______________________

______________________

Where ________________

_____________________

_____________________?

_____________________

______________________

______________________

When ________________

_____________________

_____________________?

_____________________

______________________

______________________

Why ________________

_____________________

_____________________?

_____________________

______________________

______________________

Chapters 1, 2, and 3Pages 1–26

After You ReadGetting to Know the Characters Authors often include important information in their stories about some of the characters. Make a list of details you learned about each of the characters you meet in the first three chapters.

Owen McGuire

Josie

Owen’s mother

Mr. McGuire, Owen’s father

Campion (Cam)


Describing the SettingThe setting of a story often affects what can happen in the story. Make a list of bits of information that would help you describe the setting of this book to someone who is thinking about reading it. Remember, setting includes place, time, and mood.

Thinking about ConflictAll stories contain conflict. Some conflicts are internal, such as when a character is struggling with something inside his or her own thoughts or feelings. Other conflicts are external, such as conflicts between two or more people, conflicts with society in general, or conflicts with nature: storms, survival, environment. Briefly describe the following conflicts found so far in Signal.

1. Owen vs. his father.

2. Owen vs. his new home

3. Owen vs. Cam

Thinking about Point of ViewWhat point of view does the author use in Signal? Through whose perspective do we see the story? Why do you think the author chose to tell the story using that point of view?


Making PredictionsWhat do you think Owen will do?



After You ReadUnderstanding the Story: Comprehension1. How do Owen’s discussions with his mother about life on other planets affect how he

reacts to Cam’s explanation that she is an alien?

2. What does Cam think about Owen’s arrival?

3. How is Cam going to survive in the woods?

4. What happens when Owen stops at Mr. Powers’s store to buy Tootsie Rolls for Camp?

5. How does Mr. Powers react when the man asks about the missing girl? What does he notice about Owen?

6. What does Owen learn about why Cam is hiding?

7. Besides being hit, what other things had Cam experienced?


8. How does Cam react to Owen giving her a bag of Tootsie Rolls? Why?

9. How does her reaction affect Owen?

10. When does Cam say her parents will be returning for her?

11. Why won’t she contact the police?

12. What does she need Owen to help her do?

13. Why can’t he tell his father about Cam?

14. Do you think Owen’s mom would have understood why Owen wants to help Cam? Why or why not



Before You ReadMaking PredictionsOther characters and conflicts have shown up in the story in the last few chapters. Predict what you think may happen regarding:

Bobbi and Ray

Mr. Powers

Owen’s father

After You ReadDrawing ConclusionsAfter reading these chapters, you should be able to draw some conclusions based on what you know. Answer each question below.

1. Do you believe Cam? What do you think is really going on?

2. Why is it fairly easy for Owen to keep his secret about Cam from his father?

4. What does Owen find out when he researches Campion’s name in the field guide Do you think her name is a coincidence?


5. Why does Cam get so upset with Owen because he’s late? What does this tell you about her?

6. What other clue tells you Cam has probably read a flower field guide, too?

7. How is Mr. Powers becoming a friend to Owen and Josie?

8. How does Owen’s opinion of the Dog People change?

9. What kind of signal will Owen and Cam be making?

10. Cam’s planet seems perfect. Why do you think she describes it like that?

11. Why does Cam have to find another place to stay until the full moon?



After You ReadResponding to the Story1. Mr. Powers makes a point to tell Owen he notices all his comings and goings. Why do you

think he does that?

2. How does he help Owen? How does he feel about Ray?

3. Where is Cam going to stay now that the house is boarded up?

4. What skills does Owen have that are helpful?

5. Owen says that even though a lot of crazy things are happening, this is happier than he’s felt in a long time. Why do you think that is?

6. Cam tells Owen all about her planet where “kids . . . are never unwanted. They don’t have to be afraid.” What does this tell you about Cam? Why would that appeal to Owen?


7. How are Owen and his dad like two planets?

8. In your opinion, how could Owen and his father become closer?



After You ReadResponding to the Story1. How is Sidney, the scared dog that Ernie and Charlene have recently adopted, different now?

How is Sidney like Cam?

2. What does Cam think of the way Owen is living?

3. Why is Owen uncomfortable with Cam’s comments? How does he react?

4. Why does Cam seem hurt by his reaction?

5. Owen spends his whole afternoon preparing for his dad’s arrival. What all did he do and how does the day turn out?

6. How does his dad’s thoughtlessness affect Owen?


7. What does Owen realize about Cam? What decision does he make?

8. Why does Mr. Powers keep an eye on Owen?

9. What does Owen realize about Mr. Powers?

10. What does Cam promise Owen if he changes his mind?

What Do You Think?Do you think Owen really believes Cam’s parents are going to take them to another planet? Explain your answer.



After You ReadResponding to the Story1. Why has Cam waited until this day to build the signal?

2. What are some of her fears about being found out today?

3. What is the signal?

4. Briefly describe how the signal is made.

5. Look at the cover of the book. In what ways is the illustration accurate and inaccurate based on what the story says?

6. Who are the intruders who come to the farmhouse

7. By the time they finish, what have Cam and Owen noticed that worries them?


8. As he gets closer to the arrival of the spaceship, how does Owen feel?

9. When does Cam expect her parents to arrive? Why?

10. What does Owen come to realize as he’s lying there waiting? What does he decide?

11. How does his memory of his mother help him make that decision?

12. How does Owen begin to think differently about his dad?

13. What does Owen learn about Cam when Ray finds them?

14. What does the “spaceship” turn out to be? Who did they come to find?

15. How does Cam react to this? What does she admit?


16. How is Mr. Powers a part of this “rescue”?


Chapter 19Pages 148–151

After You ReadUnderstanding the Story: Comprehension1. What did Owen find out about the planes that had flown over them?

2. What does Owen think happened because of the news broadcast?

3. What do we find out about Cam’s life before this event? How do we know her mother is not a good one?

4. What happens after the authorities find out about Bobbi and Ray?

5. Where does Cam end up living? How is that a good solution?

6. How does Owen’s relationship with his father change?


Wrap-up

Responding to the Story

1. What do you think might have happened if the police had not shown up when they did?

2. Owen says, “I guess you could say we got carried away.” Do you think they got carried away? Why or why not?

3. Do you think the events in this story could really happen? Why or why not?

Thinking about the Genre: FictionThink about the characters and plot of this novel. How realistic were they? Overall, how would you rate the book: Was it excellent, good, average, or poor? Support your opinion with reasons and details.


Library Applications

Find Out about Crop Circles and Other Weird StuffMake a display in the library featuring books about unexplained (and some explained) phenomena and encourage students to choose one topic to research. They should share their research in a report, a display, or a multimedia presentation. Some topics might include:

crop circlesStonehengeBermuda Trianglecurse of the Egyptian mummiesearthwork structures and moundsBig Foot (Sasquatch)Bog peopleUFOsLoch Ness monsterAtlantisancient “astronaut/UFO” carvings

Social Services ProjectHelp students identify various kinds of social services available in your community. Have them work in groups to find out where someone could get help if they were dealing with the following situations:

1. homelessness2. child abuse3. hunger4. medical needs5. adult mentors6. depression7. special physical needs (eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchair, etc.)8. clothing/basic needs9. alcoholism/drug abuse10. educational needs (tutoring, books, special equipment, etc.)

After they have found the agencies, have them interview someone from each agency and present what they have discovered to their class or school.


Suggestions for Further Reading

Other Books by Cynthia DeFelice

The Ghost Mysteries series

The Missing Manatee

Weasel

Bringing Ezra Back

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker

Under the Same Sky

Devil’s Bridge

Other Fiction Books You Will Enjoy

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Belle Prater’s Boy by Ruth White

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli


Correlations to National StandardsFor Grades 3–5

Content Area Standard Number Standard Objective

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.1 Reading for Perspective

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.2 Reading for Understanding

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.3 Evaluation Strategies

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.4 Communication Skills

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.5 Communication Strategies

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.6 Applying Knowledge

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.8 Developing Research Skills

Languages Arts: English NL-ENG.K-12.11 Participating in Society

Languages Arts: English NL–ENG.K–12.12 Applying Language Skills


Documents

Signal - Junior Library Guild