Textual Evidence
What season does Omar enjoy most?
Autumn.
Who is Omar's friend?
Samaria.
What does “vibrantly colored” mean in the context of the story?
Very bright, vivid, or lively in color.
What evidence shows that Omar enjoys the beauty of autumn?
He describes the leaves as a “swirling watercolor” and says autumn is the best season of the year.
Why does Omar begin feeling sad?
He realizes that autumn is coming to an end.
What does Omar mean when he compares the neighborhood to “a swirling watercolor”?
He is comparing the colorful autumn leaves to a beautiful painting.
What evidence shows that Omar is beginning to feel differently about autumn?
He notices that the trees are bare and says he feels down because he can sense the end of the season.
How does Samaria respond when Omar tells her he is feeling down?
She encourages him not to stay in that mood and suggests that they play their new game.
What does the phrase “a present pulled out of a box just for him” reveal about Omar's feelings?
It shows that Omar sees autumn as something special and meaningful to him.
Which evidence BEST supports the idea that Omar values autumn beyond its appearance?
Omar explains that he enjoys piling up and scattering the leaves because they are pretty and enrich the soil.
How does Samaria's gift affect Omar?
The scrapbook helps Omar understand that he can preserve the beauty and memories of autumn, while also recognizing the special friendship behind the gift.
Why does the author use the phrase “nothing lasts forever” in the story?
It reinforces the idea that seasons and experiences change, helping Omar understand that the end of autumn does not mean he must lose the memories connected to it.
What TWO pieces of evidence BEST show that Omar's feelings about autumn change throughout the story?
How does Omar change from the beginning to the end of the story?
At first, Omar is excited about autumn but becomes sad when he realizes it is ending. By the end, the scrapbook helps him appreciate that the memories of autumn—and his friendship with Samaria—can last
How do the author's comparisons and descriptive words about autumn help develop the story's meaning?
The descriptions make autumn seem beautiful and special to Omar. Because readers understand how much he values the season, his sadness about its ending becomes meaningful. The scrapbook then provides a way for him to preserve those memories.