Plot Mountain
The exposition of the story introduces the main character and the setting. Who is the main character, what is the setting, and why is the main character there?
The main character is Zane Dupree. This story takes place mostly in New Orleans. Zane is there to visit is great grandmother, Miss Trissy.
Name the type of figurative language used in this sentence: "The canes look kind of like weapons."
Simile
What is Zane's relationship to Miss Trissy?
Miss Trissy is Zane's great grandmother.
What is the name of the hurricane that strikes New Orleans in this book?
Katrina
Why is Zane so hesitant to visit Miss Trissy at first?
He does not want to disrupt routine and does not value a connection to his dad's family.
The conflict of a story comes at the beginning of the rising action. What is the main conflict in this story?
Zane is caught in the flooding that occurred after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.
What type of figurative language appears in this sentence from Chapter 29 about Belinda, "[She has] round glasses that make her eyes look as big as brown eggs" ?
simile
What is the relationship between Malvina and Tru?
Tru is a friend of Malvina's mother. He is taking care of her while her mom is in rehab.
What was the biggest cause of the large-scale flooding after this hurricane?
Failure of the levees
What is the main problem (conflict) in this story?
The struggle to find enough food and safety.
The rising action also includes the many setbacks and breakthroughs the characters have in trying to resolve the conflict. What are three major setbacks and/or breakthroughs the main character(s) experience(s)?
Answers can vary. Teacher says...
Name the type of figurative language used in this sentence: "And then the wind begins to talk."
Personification
When did Zane first realize that he and Malvina were now true friends? Was it: the cookout, the shed, on the way to the Superdome, or at the animal shelter? How do you know?
At the cookout, Malvina went out of her way to help Zane feel more comfortable when people start wondering why he's there. She makes a joke about his ears.
What does the "unofficial shelter" at the school tell us about the people who live in this neighborhood of New Orleans?
They value community and pull together to help each other in times of need. They show generosity and hospitality.
What started as a minor problem in the beginning of the book, but became a major problem?
Tru's foot injury
What do you consider to be the climax of this story? The climax is the most intense part of the story where things cannot get any worse. Give evidence to support your answer.
Bandy being shot on the bridge is the most likely answer, since everything that happens after resolves problems. Teacher has final approval.
What two types of figurative language are present in this example:
The shriek of the roof tiles
onomatopoeia and personification
Malvina is brave. Tell about a time when she demonstrated this.
Standing up to Dylan Toomey, taking the lead on helping Tru, pushing the group forward on the bridge to Algiers
How is the wealthier neighborhood of New Orleans different from the one Zane, Malvina, and Tru came from?
The neighborhood is fearful, suspicious, and on lockdown. This neighborhood is not pulling together or helping others.
How does the conflict with Dylan Toomey affect the other characters' actions?
They run away, first from the cookout to the wealthier neighborhood, then from the Superdome to Algiers.
What happens in the falling action and resolution of this story? In other words, what happens after the climax that gets to characters "back to normal," whatever that new normal may be? Name at least three happenings.
Should include at least three of the following:
Belinda saves Bandy and helps Tru's foot, Zane learns about what happened to his dad and uncle, New Orleans takes a long time to rebuild, Zane goes back to New Hampshire, Miss Trissy comes to live with Zane, Malvina comes to visit Zane in New Hampshire, Tru is gifted so much new brass, he is able to give some away.
Explain the meaning of this piece of figurative language from Chapter 20:
"...homes built on higher ground, with maybe some leaves clotted into the intricate trim of the front porches, like spinach stuck in their front teeth."
The decorative parts of the houses have pieces of plants stuck in it from the wind.
What role does Bandy play in this story?
Multiple answers!
Teacher says:
Why did sheltering at the Superdome not work out?
The Superdome was out of supplies, people were becoming violent, and they were no longer admitting people. In addition, Dylan Toomey showed up.
What is the lesson Zane learns in this story and what lesson are we supposed to learn? What evidence supports this?
Zane learns to value the connection with his father's family and the new friends he made because of it. The second part of the question has multiple possible answers, but they must be supported with evidence. Teacher says...