Novel ?s
Why did Coach Hucklebee "chew out" his team?
They were laughing at the Compton coach, Bradington
This backpack weighs a ton!
Hyperbole
The wind howled through the trees as Ethan tightened the straps of his hiking backpack. The forecast had predicted clear skies, but Ethan had packed extra layers, a first aid kit, and a flashlight just in case. His friend Jake, on the other hand, had laughed off the idea of carrying “unnecessary weight” and brought only a water bottle and a sandwich. As the two trekked deeper into the mountains, dark clouds began to gather, and soon a sudden storm rolled in, drenching them in icy rain. The trail turned into a slick, muddy mess, and visibility dropped to near zero.
When Jake slipped and twisted his ankle, Ethan sprang into action. He pulled out a space blanket to keep Jake warm, bandaged his ankle, and used his flashlight to guide them back down the now treacherous trail. By the time they reached safety, Jake was shivering and humbled. "You really saved me out there," Jake admitted, wincing as Ethan helped him into the car. Ethan simply nodded and felt good about his decision to bring extra items.
What is the theme of the above story?
Be prepared
What was Janice Trucelli told about Luke when she arrived at school?
That he had died the night before.
The clouds were like cotton candy in the sky.
Simile
Liam sat nervously at his desk, staring at the math test in front of him. He hadn’t studied the night before because he’d been too busy playing video games. Now, as he glanced at the confusing equations, his eyes drifted to Mia’s paper next to him. Mia was the best student in class, and her neat handwriting practically invited him to peek. Hesitating for a moment, Liam decided to copy a few of her answers, convincing himself it wasn’t a big deal.
The next day, their teacher handed back the graded tests, and Liam’s heart sank when he saw a big, red "F" on his paper. Confused, he looked at Mia, who also looked upset. "The answers I wrote were wrong," she whispered to him. “I made a mistake.” Realizing he had copied her errors, Liam felt a wave of guilt wash over him. Cheating hadn’t just cost him the test—it had also taught him a hard lesson.
What is the theme of the above story?
Shortcuts never lead to success
Pete, the Compton catcher, couldn't believe it when Coach told Kyle to...
brush Luke back off the plate
I’ve told you a thousand times to clean your room!
Hyperbole
Mia stood in the school cafeteria line, her tray in hand, when she noticed a group of kids laughing at Oliver, the quiet new student. They were mocking his accent and the way he dressed, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Mia felt her stomach twist. She wanted to look away, to pretend she hadn’t noticed, but something inside her wouldn’t let her stay silent. Even though her heart pounded, she stepped forward. “That’s not okay,” she said firmly. “Leave him alone.”
The group turned to her, surprised, and one of them rolled their eyes. “Why do you care?” they sneered. Mia took a deep breath. “Because it’s wrong,” she replied. “Everyone deserves to feel safe here.” For a moment, it felt like the entire cafeteria was staring, but then one by one, other kids around her started agreeing. The bullies backed off, grumbling as they left, and Oliver gave Mia a small, grateful smile.
What is the theme of the above story?
Stand up for what you believe in
Melody Mercer went to the hospital to visit Luke because...
some girls kept asking if she had seen him
The leaves waved goodbye as we walked past.
Personification
Logan stared at the soccer ball lying motionless on the penalty line. His team was counting on him to score, but his legs felt like jelly. He took a deep breath, ran forward, and kicked the ball with all his strength. It sailed over the goalpost, missing by a mile. The whistle blew, and the other team erupted in cheers. Logan dropped to his knees, devastated. He had let his team down, and the weight of failure crushed him as his teammates patted his back in awkward silence.
That night, Logan replayed the moment in his head over and over. Instead of giving up, he decided to channel his frustration into practice. Every day after school, he worked on his aim, his technique, and his confidence. Weeks later, during another game, Logan got the same chance—a penalty kick. This time, his hard work paid off. The ball sailed perfectly into the corner of the net, and his team erupted in cheers for him.
What is the theme of the above story?
Growth can come from failure
After Luke was home he waited until it was dark to..
Walk to the baseball field where the accident had happened
Her voice is music to my ears.
Metaphor
Emma stood in front of her mirror, holding up the trendy jacket her friends had convinced her to buy. It wasn’t her style—too flashy and covered in glitter—but everyone at school was wearing one, and she didn’t want to feel left out. As she tried it on, she frowned. She missed her usual comfy hoodies and bright, colorful accessories that made her feel like herself. Still, she shrugged and wore the jacket to school the next day, hoping to fit in.
When she got to class, her friends complimented her outfit, but Emma felt uneasy all day. At lunch, her best friend Ava noticed her silence and asked, “What’s up?” Emma hesitated before admitting, “I just don’t feel like me in this.” Ava smiled and said, “Then don’t wear it. Your style is so much cooler anyway.” That afternoon, Emma changed back into her favorite hoodie and added her rainbow hair clip. As she walked into class, a few classmates complimented her unique look.
What is the theme of the above story?
Be true to yourself