Spelling
Spell the word that means a punishment or bad luck thought to be caused by magic.
What is "curse"
Why do the boys at Camp Green Lake dig holes every day?
(The Warden is looking for something buried.)
What does “delirious” mean when Stanley was on the mountain?
(Confused and out of his senses due to illness or exhaustion)
What motivates Stanley to take the blame for stealing Mr. Sir’s sunflower seeds?
(He wants to protect his friend, Zero.)
What does the dry lake symbolize in the story?
(A place where hope and justice have dried up or been lost.)
Spell the word that means to keep trying even when it's hard.
What is “perseverance"
What is ironic about the name “Camp Green Lake”?
(There is no lake, and it’s dry and dusty.)
What does it mean if someone is “defiant”?
(They resist authority or refuse to obey)
How does Zero demonstrate that he is more than what people assume about him?
(He shows intelligence, problem-solving skills, and teaches himself to read.)
Why is the act of digging holes symbolic in the story?
(It represents punishment, but also uncovering truth and building character.)
Spell the word that means to prove someone is not guilty.
exonerate
Why did Zero run away from camp?
(He was angry and tired of being mistreated and insulted.)
What is a “jurisdiction”?
(An area where someone has legal power or control)
Why does the Warden paint her nails with rattlesnake venom?
(To intimidate the boys and show her power over them.)
How is the mountain called "God’s Thumb" important to the plot?
(It’s where Stanley and Zero find safety, food, and begin healing.)
Spell the word for someone who comes after an ancestor.
What is "descendant"
How are Stanley and Zero connected through their family histories?
(Zero’s great-great-grandmother was cursed by Stanley’s ancestor.)
What does “preposterous” mean when Mr. Sir doubts Stanley’s story?
(Ridiculous or unbelievable)
What does Mr. Pendanski say about destiny, and how is he proven wrong?
(He says some kids are meant to be nothing, but Stanley and Zero change their futures.)
What role does the desert climate play in shaping the boys' experiences?
(It adds hardship, danger, and isolation, forcing the boys to grow stronger.)
Spell the word that means a deep hole or pit.
What is "excavation”
Why did Stanley decide to carry Zero up the mountain?
(He remembered the story about his great-great-grandfather and wanted to break the family curse.)
What does it mean to “deprive” someone of something?
(To keep them from having what they need)
How does Kate Barlow’s transformation reflect the unfairness of her society?
(After Sam is killed for being Black, her grief and anger over injustice lead her to become an outlaw.)
How does the setting of Camp Green Lake reflect the idea of justice being buried or hidden?
(The truth about the Warden’s treasure and the boys’ innocence is literally buried underground.)