Flipped Chapter 1-4

Chapter 1

100

Please briefly summarize the main events of Chapter 1 from Bryce’s perspective, including his first meeting with Juli, his plan to avoid her, and his daily interactions with Juli in elementary school.

1. Bryce’s family moved into the neighborhood, and Juli warmly helped them move and held his hand.
2. Bryce felt embarrassed and tried to hide or avoid Juli.
3. Bryce planned to date Shelly Stalls to keep Juli away; in sixth grade, Juli sat behind him, sniffed his hair and helped him with spelling grades.

200

Read the excerpt: “I hatched the plan. I asked Shelly Stalls out to ward Juli off… I just wanted Juli to leave me alone and stop bothering me every day.”

Based on this excerpt, analyze one personality trait of Bryce and explain with evidence.

• Trait: A bit childish / selfish / immature.
• Evidence: He used Shelly Stalls to get rid of Juli without considering her feelings.
• Explanation: He only cared about his own need to avoid Juli, not thinking he might hurt Shelly.

300

Why does Bryce feel extremely embarrassed and want to hide from Juli when they first meet? Combine the text to explain his inner thoughts.

• He felt uncomfortable and embarrassed by Juli’s overly warm and sudden attention.
• He did not like her pushing into his life and wanted personal space.
• Evidence: He locked himself in the bathroom and dove under his bed to stay away from her.

400

Bryce says his elementary school life with Juli was “a disaster”. What negative effects did Juli’s enthusiasm bring to Bryce’s school life? Use details from the chapter to support your answer.

1. His classmates laughed at and teased him about Juli.
2. He felt stressed and annoyed all the time.
3. His schoolwork suffered, especially his spelling grades.

• Evidence: “my grades took a dive, especially in spelling” and students sang teasing songs about them.

Chapter 2

100

Briefly retell Chapter 2 from Juli’s perspective: how she felt when she first saw Bryce, what she did to help his family move, and what happened between her, Bryce and Shelly Stalls.

1. Juli fell in love with Bryce at first sight because of his beautiful blue eyes.
2. She helped Bryce’s family move and held his hand, almost getting her first kiss.
3. She fought with Shelly Stalls to protect Bryce; in sixth grade, she helped him with spelling and dreamed about their future.

200

Read the excerpt: “I had her off of him in two seconds flat… I just wanted to protect Bryce from Shelly Stalls.”

According to this excerpt, what personality trait does Juli show? Explain with evidence.

• Trait: Brave, protective, and direct.
• Evidence: She quickly stopped Shelly from bothering Bryce and fought for him.
• Explanation: She cared about Bryce and dared to stand up for what she thought was right.

300

How did Juli’s feelings and behavior toward Bryce change from second grade to sixth grade? List two changes and use text evidence.

1. Grade 2–3: She followed Bryce closely and could not control her excitement.
2. Grade 4: She learned to control herself but still watched and dreamed about him.
3. Grade 6: She quietly helped him with study and waited gently for her first kiss.

• Evidence: She went from “following him everywhere” to “whispering spelling words and wondering about a kiss”.

400

Compare Juli’s and Bryce’s views on their early interactions. Why do they have totally different feelings about the same events?

• Juli: She saw her actions as warm, kind, and full of love.
• Bryce: He saw them as annoying, embarrassing, and disturbing.
• Reason: They had different personalities and needs. Juli wanted closeness; Bryce wanted space.

Chapter 3

100

Briefly summarize Chapter 3: who comes to live with Bryce’s family, what happens to the sycamore tree, and how Bryce feels about his choice.

1. Bryce’s grandfather came to live with his family.
2. The sycamore tree was going to be cut down.
3. Bryce ignored Juli and did not join her to protect the tree.
4. Bryce felt guilty, regretted it, and began to change his attitude toward Juli.

200

Read the excerpt: “the thing he likes to do best is stare out the front-room window… Mom says he stares like that because he misses Grandma.”

Analyze one personality trait of Bryce’s grandfather and explain with the excerpt.

• Trait: Quiet, lonely, and missing his wife deeply.
• Evidence: He spent much time staring out the window.
• Explanation: He was quiet and sad inside because he missed Grandma, though he didn’t talk about it.

300

Why does Bryce feel guilty and regretful after the sycamore tree is cut down? Give two reasons with text evidence.

1. He did not help Juli even though she begged him to climb up with her.
2. He saw how sad Juli was and realized he was selfish and cold.

• Evidence: Juli cried; Bryce felt like watching someone be hurt and wanted to say sorry.

400

How does the sycamore tree incident change Bryce’s attitude toward Juli? Use evidence from the chapter to explain the change.

• Before: He only wanted to avoid and ignore her.
• After: He felt sorry for her, noticed her pain, and started to care about her feelings.
• Evidence: He felt bad when Juli ate alone; he wanted to apologize but was too shy.

Chapter 4

100

Briefly summarize Chapter 4: why Juli climbs the sycamore tree, what she learns from the top of the tree, what happens to the tree, and how her father comforts her.

1. She climbed the tree to get Bryce’s kite.
2. She enjoyed the amazing view and understood “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.
3. Workers came to cut the tree; she was sad, and her father comforted her and painted the tree for her.

200

Read the excerpt: “Dad doesn't seem to see the backyard or the chickens when he's painting… I told him about the sycamore tree… He didn't interrupt me once.”

Based on this excerpt, analyze one trait of Juli’s father and support with evidence.

• Trait: Patient, gentle, understanding, and loving.
• Evidence: He listened quietly and promised to climb the tree with her.
• Explanation: He respected Juli’s feelings and supported her deeply.

300

Why is the sycamore tree very important and meaningful to Juli? Give two reasons with text details.

1. It gave her a magic view and made her feel free and alive.
2. It helped her understand her father’s words about life and beauty.
3. It was her special private place to think and feel peaceful.

• Evidence: She felt like flying; she talked to the tree and felt humble and majestic.

400

How does Juli’s experience on the sycamore tree change her understanding of the world and herself? Use evidence to explain.

• She learned that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts — beauty comes from the whole, not small pieces.
• She felt more humble but also strong, and understood peace and wonder deeply.
• Evidence: She realized the view was more than rooftops and wind; it was magic.