Plot
Describe the setting of this story
In Josie and Tyson's home; in the kitchen
What is Josie's reason for coming home past curfew?
She accidentally fell asleep at her friend's house.
Why do you think Josie and Tyson do not get along?
They are teenagers who were forced to become siblings because of their parents' marriage.
Provide one quote that shows Josie and Tyson's relationship.
"...her evil stepbrother"
"Tyson gave Josie a shove..."
"Josie stuck out her leg in an attempt to trip Tyson..."
"The scuffle didn't end until they were in the living room."
Define HASTY:
She hastily formed her defense and quickly said, "Oh please."
Quickly
Who stole the cookies?
Carter
Why had Josie's mother made cookies earlier that morning?
She made cookies for Carter's pre-school class
Do you think Josie and Tyson will ever get along? Why or why not?
Answers may vary. Support your response!
Why did Josie say "Why don't you ask the person who eats every morsel of food in this house before anyone has a chance to eat?"
She's suggesting that Tyson is the one who ate the cookies because he eats everything in the house.
I can't wait for vacation so I can lounge in the sun for hours at a time.
What does lounge mean?
To relax
Who are the main characters in this story? What about minor characters?
Main: Josie and Tyson
Minor: Mom, Dad, Carter, Josie's friends
What reason did Tyson's dad and stepmom have to suspect that he stole the cookies?
He's a football player who eats everything.
Why do you think the parents didn't suspect Carter of being the cookie thief?
Carter is a three-year-old child and they have no reason to suspect a pre-schooler to steal or eat all 25 cookies.
Explain why Tyson said this: "Besides, I, unlike some people in this room, actually respect the rules of this house."
Tyson is suggesting that Josie doesn't respect the house rules because she missed curfew one time.
Define ABRUPT
suddenly
1. Josie and Tyson don't get along.
2. Someone ate the cookies.
What reason did Josie's mom and stepdad have to suspect that Josie stole the cookies?
What do you think Carter did with the cookies?
She either ate the cookies or played pretend with it.
Why do you think Josie "preferred the sound of Tyson greedily crunching on potato chips to the sound of his annoying, irritating voice?"
She'd rather he not help make the cookies because he could cause trouble or be distracting. She would rather he eat quietly than talk.
Define the following word and use it in a sentence: ensure
to make sure or certain
Describe what kind of family Josie and Tyson have.
They have a blended family (i.e., their parents married each other and they are stepsiblings).
What reasons did Josie and Tyson give for NOT eating the cookies?
Josie had friends over to work on an assignment; Tyson just ate a football snack and he wants to stay healthy.
The next day, Josie misses the bus after school because her locker wouldn't open. She calls her mom for a ride and explains why she missed the bus. Do you think her mom believed her? Why or why not?
Answers may vary.
Explain this quote: "Sometimes, definitely not all of the time, but sometimes, this blended family really was OK."
Blended families sometimes face challenges, but they really do love and care for each other.
What are the two meanings for "blended"? How is it used here?
Blended can mean to mix completely so that there are no separate parts (e.g., smoothie). It can also be a group of very different people who come together to form a unite (e.g., a blended family).