Summary
What happens to the narrator at the beginning of the story?
She sees her friends getting invited to Bridget’s party, but not her.
Find a line that shows the narrator feels insecure about her appearance.
“Maybe it’s my coat. It is pretty ugly compared to some of the other girls’ coats.”
Why did the author most likely write this story?
To show how peer pressure and fitting in can affect self-esteem.
Why do the narrator’s friends avoid talking about the party at lunch?
They don’t want to hurt her feelings because they know she wasn’t invited.
What does the word flotsam and jetsam in paragraph 1 suggest about the narrator’s friend group?
They are misfits or outsiders who came together by chance.
Who is Bridget and why is she important in the story?
Bridget is the popular girl whose party represents social status.
Which sentence shows that Becky feels guilty about the situation?
Becky quickly offers to show her homework and later makes excuses for Bridget.
Which emotion does the author want the reader to feel most strongly in this passage?
Disappointment, sadness, insecurity
Why does the narrator pretend to be interested in Becky’s homework at the beginning?
To hide her embarrassment and disappointment.
In the sentence 'I smiled weakly and nodded,' what does weakly suggest about the narrator’s feelings?
That she felt sad, uncomfortable, and excluded.
Summarize the narrator’s main problem in 1–2 sentences.
She feels left out and questions her self-worth when not invited to the party.
What evidence shows the narrator both wants to go to the party and resents it?
She thinks, 'Take it, you know you want to go,' but also resents being an afterthought.
What is a good theme for the passage?
Acceptance doesn’t always equal happiness
Self-worth.
Why does the narrator repeat details of the party to Meredith even though she wasn’t invited?
She wanted to appear included, even though she wasn’t.
What does the phrase 'stagnant water' in paragraph 2 suggest about not being invited?
It suggests being stuck, left out, or socially stagnant.
Which event pushes the narrator to realize she might still be invited after all?
When her friends tell her Bridget may invite more people after others couldn’t attend.
What evidence proves that being invited to Bridget’s party was connected to social status?
“Being invited to her party meant elevation in the school pecking order.”
Which sentence BEST shows the author’s purpose to show how peer pressure impacts identity?
“To not be invited meant standing in stagnant water.”
What can we infer about Meredith’s character based on her reaction to not being invited?
She is confident and independent, not worried about popularity.
The author writes, 'I felt nauseous … but I knew it wasn’t from the aroma.' What does nauseous mean in this context?
It means sick to her stomach—caused by emotions, not food.
Summarize the story in 3–4 sentences including the beginning, middle, and end.
A girl feels rejected when left out of a party invitation, wrestles with insecurity, then finally is offered an invite but questions its meaning.
Which line shows the narrator beginning to accept herself regardless of the party?
“So what if I don’t go to the party. I’m still me whether I go or not.”
What lesson or theme can the reader take away from this story about belonging?
True belonging comes from self-acceptance, not others’ approval.
Why does the narrator hesitate at the end instead of immediately taking the invitation?
She feels conflicted—she wants to go, but doesn’t want to feel like a second choice.
What does 'afterthought' mean in the last paragraph, and how does it connect to the narrator’s feelings?
It means she wasn’t thought of at first, showing she feels unimportant.