Cite Evidence
What sentence shows that Elsie is worried about the storm?
“Mama, it’s like the sky forgot how to cry,” Elsie whispered.
What does the patch of mint symbolize?
Hope, resilience, and the idea that life can grow even in hard times.
What does “brittle” mean in the story?
Fragile, easily broken, dry.
Is the story told in chronological order? How do you know, or why not?
Yes, the events happen in time order from storm to discovery.
What is the story mostly about?
A girl and her family facing a dust storm and finding hope afterward
Quote a line that shows how hard life was for the family.
“It hadn’t rained in weeks, and the wheat her father had planted was nothing but brittle stems.”
What is the theme of the story?
A. In difficult times, families must learn to lean on each other.
B. Even in the harshest conditions, hope and resilience can survive.
C. When life gets hard, the best choice is to leave everything behind.
B. Even in the harshest conditions, hope and resilience can survive.
What does “the sky forgot how to cry” mean?
It hasn’t rained in a long time.
What clues tell us when the story takes place?
It’s during the Dust Bowl in 1935; clues include dust storms, dry fields, and moving west.
What is the author trying to teach us?
Even in tough times, small signs of hope can make a big difference.
What detail shows Papa is hopeful about the future?
“There’s work out there, and the land is greener,” he said.
How does Elsie change from beginning to end?
She goes from feeling hopeless and scared to hopeful and determined to stay.
Define “cupped” as used in the story.
Held gently with both hands.
What is the setting?
How do you know?
Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl; clues: wheat fields, dust storms, 1935.
What message can readers learn from this story?
Hope and resilience help us survive difficult times.
What sentence tells you the storm was dangerous?
“The wind was screamed through the walls like a freight train.”
Why does the author include the detail about the mint?
It shows that even in a dry, dusty place, something can still grow—a symbol of renewal.
What does “huddled” mean in the sentence about the storm?
Crowded together closely for safety.
How does the setting affect the events and the characters?
The drought and storm force the family to consider moving; it causes hardship.
How would the story be different if told by Papa?
It might focus more on responsibilities, finding work, and protecting the family, rather than emotion and discovery.
Find 2 quotes that show how the family adapted to the storm.
“They huddled inside, wet cloths over their mouths.”
“Elsie helped board up the windows.”
What can you infer about the family?
The family is poor and struggling, and moving west may be their only choice.
What is the best word to replace “struggling” in the mint sentence?
Surviving, pushing, or fighting
Why did the author tell this story from Elsie’s point of view?
It helps the reader connect emotionally with a child’s experience during the Dust Bowl.
Give a summary of the story in 2-3 sentences.
Elsie and her family endure a dust storm in 1935. Afterward, she finds a sprig of mint and feels hope again. Her family considers moving, but she finds strength in what still grows.