Powerless by Matthew Cody

Prologue - Chapter 2

Who are Molly and Rohan?  What do we know about them?  What seems odd?

Vocabulary:

silhouettes (1)

queasy (5)

trepidation (14)

stall (18)

chauffered (19)

hoax (21)

Chapters 3 - 5

What is the history of the Nobel Green Supers?  What are the four rules?

Vocabulary:

hospitality (33)

condemend (36)

sagging (45)

defiant (47)

reluctant (50)

Chapters 6 - 8

Describe Michael's change when he turned 13.  How did he react when Daniel talked to him?

Vocabulary:

looming (61)

demolition (64)

bore (74)

incoporeal (76)

intently (80)

singe (84)

Chapters 9 - 10

Describe Daniel's encounter when he tries to save Eric.  What might the thing be?  Make a prediction.

Vocabulary:

persistent (91)

ironic (97)

ambient (101)

nausea (109)

swoon (112)

recounted (115)

Chapters 11 - 12

What reasons does Daniel have for thinking his suspect might be The Shroud?  Do you agree with his thinking?

Vocabulary:

heroics (119)

snitch (122)

skittish (128)

mundane (138)

decency (139)

Chapters 13 - 15

Do you think Daniel blames himself for his grandmother?  Do you think his emotions and feelings make sense?

Vocabulary:

dominate (146)

erode (149)

disoriented (160)

impale (162)

condolences (167)

sympathetic (170)

Chapters 6 - 17

Does the truth learned from Pluckett make sense with what we know about Eric, The Shroud, and the Supers?

Vocabulary:

wary (176)

infirm (178)

loath (179)

contagious (193)

Chapters 18 - 20

What plan do you think Daniel is coming up with?  How might he be able to defeat The Shroud?

Vocabulary:

confront (198)

grimace (199)

refrain (205)

glean (210)

reprimand (217)

Chapters 21 - 22

Why has The Shroud done what he has for so long?  Do you understand his reasons?  Do you agree with him?

Vocabulary:

bravado (223)

derogative (225)

hoarse (230)

exasperated (232)

excruciating (234)

Chapters 23 - 25

What decision is Daniel going to be faced with now that the world has changed?

Vocabulary:

insisted (250)

avail (252)

delude (255)

ominious (259)

chortle (264)

The Whispering Road by Livi Michael

Chapters 1 - 3

Why are Joe and Annie escaping at the beginning of the the story?  What advice are they given?

Vocabulary:

clout (1)

daft (3)

baying (10)

scorching (13)

haunches (21)

spurned (22)

Chapters 4 - 7

How does Joe treat Dog Woman?  Does she deserve it?  Why do you think he feels this way?

Vocabulary:

copses (32)

lynch (43)

falter (45)

croon (48)

Chapters 8 - 10

How are they treated by Barnaby?  What lesson do you think Joe has learned from this?

Vocabulary:

slacken (61)

plundering (67)

bellowing (70)

din (74)

clamor (79)

crone (84)

Chapters 11 - 13

What power does Annie have?  How has it shown up in the story so far?  How does Joe feel about it?

Vocabulary:

fret (100)

mending (106)

sallow (110)

sullen (117)

Chapters 14 - 17

Why do you think Joe has made the decision he has?  Was he being selfish or generous?  Expalin.

Vocabulary:

scorched (121)

mire (123)

flounce (126)

aghast (129)

bellow (137)

Chapters 18 - 21

What has caused characters to become sick?  Is there any way they could have avoided it?

Vocabulary:

brandish (153)

relieve (156)

cower (162)

saunter (168)

simpering (168)

Chapters 22 - 26

What things has Mr. M done for Nat?  What reason do you think he might have for his generosity?

Vocabulary:

whimper (181)

stout (189)

tureen (190)

smirk (196)

timidly (201)

invalid (207)

Chapters 27 - 31

What information does Nat learn about the poor in Manchester?  Do you think that Mr. M is wrong after learning this?  Why?

Vocabulary:

livery (213)

feckless (216)

idle (219)

deranged (224)

defiance (232)

philanthropic (236)

Chapters 32 - 37

How has Joe/Jack/Dodger/Nat changed over the course of the book?  Has he become a better or worse character because of these changes?

Vocabulary:

fasting (242)

benefactor (253)

heckle (263)

loiter (263)

tramp (266)

repealed (270)

Chapters 38 - Afterward

Did the story have a happy ending?  Were the wicked punished?  What do you think the author was ying to say through this book?

Vocabulary:

advert (280)

humane (290)

audit (293)

Al Capone Does My Shorts by Gennifer Choldenko

Chapters 1 - 3

What do we know about Natalie?  Why does Moose feel so protective of her?  How do others treat her?

Vocabulary:

sincere (5)

affliction (8)

errand (12)

morgue (13)

amnesia (15)

Chapters 4 - 6

What are the rules for living on Alcatraz?  Do they seem correct?  Is there anything that could be added?

Vocabulary:

peculiar (24)

scowl (24)

obediant (28)

louse (32)

precise (37)

heinous (37)

Chapters 7 - 9

Explain Piper's money making scheme.  Why does she need Moose to be involved?

Vocabulary:

scoff (46)

contraption (54)

sarcastic (58)

Chapters 10 - 12

What problems does Natalie have at the Esther P. Marinoff school?

Vocabulary:

enroll (61)

arylum (66)

replicate (67)

appeal (74)

merciless (79)

Chapters 13 - 16

How does Moose feel about his responsibility for his sister?  How would you feel?

Vocabulary:

suspicious (82)

Chapters 17 - 20

What obsticals does Moose face when he thinks life is unfair?  Think about his family, friends and school.

Vocabulary:

raid (104)

dirge (107)

notorious (112)

indignity (112)

culpable (113)

severence (115)

Chapters 21 - 23

What are the consequences if Moose is caught by the fence?  Would they understand about the baseball?

Vocabulary:

irritate (125)

swag (131)

heave (135)

erode (139)

Chapters 24 - 28

What do you think of Moose's mom and her ideas about Natalie?  Is she realistic?

Vocabulary:

terrace (145)

dilligent (145)

eerie (147)

balk (150)

sulk (158)

Chapters 29 - 32

Is Moose a good brother?  Does he sacrifice for his sister?  Explain.

Vocabulary:

translate (160)

jeopardize (162)

disloyal (163)

critical (166)

plead (169)

Chapters 33 - 36

Why does Moose's mother want him to believe that Natalie is 10 years old?

Vocabulary:

vulnerable (183)

obnoxious (187)

quivering (192)

radiant (195)

Chapters 37 - 40

How does Moose solve his family's problem?  Was he wrong to do it?

Vocabulary:

bias (200)

precedent (203)

Among the Hidden Margaret Peterson

Chapters 1-3 How are things different for Luke?  Give examples concerning how his life differs in comparison with others from his family? Vocabulary: shudder (1) exist (6) wobbly (11) idly (12) Chapters 4-6 What feelings do Luke's parents have towards the government?  Why would they feel this way? Vocabulary: offal (25) retrieve (27) advance (29) Chapters 7-9 How does Luke deal with being home all of the time? Vocabulary: linger (30) fatigue (34) zeal (39) Chapters 10-12 What evidence does Luke have that the "Sports" family has a third child? Vocabulary: pathetic (45) guffawed (47) theoretically (52) Chapters 13-15 Compare Jen and Luke.  How are they different in their approaches to a similar situation? Vocabulary: sanctuary (55) pristine (57) competent (60) Chapters 16-18 Why was the population law passed?  What are other ways the government could have dealt with the problem? Vocabulary: mocked (69) botch (71) forged (76) Chapters 19-21 In what ways do the Barons break government laws? Vocabulary: annihilation (90) malnourish (92) cultivation (100) Chapters 22-24 In what ways is this rally a good idea?  What could go wrong? Vocabulary: gaped (110) weary (115) Chapters 25-27 Do you think Luke's choice was the right one?  How do you think things might have changed if he had agreed with Jen? Vocabulary: deranged (121) stifled (125) bereavement (128) Chapters 28-30 Which events led to "Lee Grant" leaving the farm for school?  Were there other outcomes possible? Vocabulary: sabotage (133) totalitarian (135) efficiency (138)

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

Chapters 1 - 5
What do we know about demons, specifically Bartimaeus, at this point?

Vocabulary:
urchin (4)
illusion (11)
translucent (12)
portal (20)
flailing (30)

Chapters 6 - 8
Detail the routines Nathaniel must go through.  Why do you think these subjects will be useful in the future?

Vocabulary:
frantic (37)
loiter (39)
hygiene (43)
registration (50)
ascend (57)

Chapters 9 - 11
Why is knowing another things real name so important?  What could happen if the wrong person could find a name out?

Vocabulary:
virtuous (65)
pestilence (70)
spite (76)
ignorance (80)
vanity (91)

Chapters 12 - 13
Why does Nathaniel cease thinking of Underwood as his master?

Vocabulary:
petulance (96)
monopoly (98)
insolence (105)
guile (113)
vicinity (118)

Chapters 14 - 16What make Simon Lovelace a formidable enemy for Nathaniel and Bartimeaus?

Vocabulary:
optimism (124)
symmetrical (127)
malicious (140)
meager (143)
amorous (149)

Chapters 17 - 18
Why is Simon so eager for the amulets return?

Vocabulary:
precariously (158)
vain (160)
reputation (164)
anxiety (175)
deformities (181)

Chapters 19 - 21
What are the possible outcomes if Bartimaeus does or does not reveal information?

Vocabulary:
awkwardly (184)
discreet (190)
collide (198)
recuperate (202)
insolent (209)

Chapters 22 - 24
Who is the cause of Bartimaeus' escape?  Why would they want to do this for them?

Vocabulary?
wrath (226)
escalate (234)
lummox (237)
engulf (242)

Chapters 25 - 27What does Nathaniel's future seem like?  Why can things never be the same again?

Vocabulary:
warily (246)
stench (254)
hectic (262)
disdain (267)
fatal (274)

Chapters 28 - 30
How are Nathaniel's and Underwood's relations different when confronting Lovelace.  How does this reflect their natures?

Vocabulary:
disheveled (276)
befuddlement (280)
incompetence (286)
colossal (299)

Chapters 31 - 33
What are the consequences (good and bad) of Nathaniel not following Bartimaeus' advice concerning staying inside?

Vocabulary:
vacant (310)
ignite (312)
isolated (323)
renegade (326)
anxious (333)

Chapters 34 - 35
Why would Nathaniel and Bartimaeus fear the man at the end of chapter 35?

Vocabulary:
insight (346)
protest (348)
arthritic (350)
perpetually (360)
petrol (365)

Chapters 36 - 39
What clues do we have concerning Lovelace's plan at this point?

Vocabulary:
mercenary (370)
pathetic (374)
heroism (384)
paranoia (391)

Chapters 40 - 41
How did Simon Lovelace enact his plan?  Any clues as to what this creature might be?

Vocabulary:
exasperation (408)
nauseous (411)
louse (415)
suppress (418)
immune (422)

Chapters 42 - 44
What is Bartimaeus trying to say to Nathaniel with his final words?

Vocabulary:
woe (428)
elude (433)
inferior (436)
skeptical (445)
memento (451)

Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman

Chapter 1

Describe Hailey and Claire in one sentence each.  How are they different?  How did they come to be at the Capri?

Vocabulary:
chlorinate (3)
confine (4)
skittish (6)
glum (12)

Chapter 2

Why won't the mermaid return to the ocean?  What is keeping her here?

Vocabulary:
venture (25)
arose (27)
intent (30)
indulge (32)
sensible (35)
gale (39)

Chapter 3

What skill of Hailey's help Aquamarine get ready for her date?  Illustrate her creation.

Vocabulary:
gingerly (50)
fade (52)
vow (52)
solemn (55)

Chapter 4

What fears do Claire and Hailey have about moving?  Do you think that it's true  when the author says, "It helps to say the things that scare you"?

Vocabulary:
 chauffeur(62)
wade (66)
retrieve (71)
plead (77)

Chapters 5 - 6

Can you think of a place that was important to you that has changed?  Write about it.  Why was it special?  How did it change?

Vocabulary:
dismantle (81)
acclaim (88)

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

Prologue - Chapter 2

Why is the LEP worried about goblin smuggling?  What are they bringing down from the surface?  Where are they getting it from?

Vocabulary:

intact (3)

guile (7)

truculant (14)

excursion (16)

forage (17)

Chapters 3 - 4

What deal has Artemis made with the LEP?  What does he have to do?  What does he get in return?

Vocabulary:

foreboding (42)

composure (43)

covert (47)

vendetta (65)

contraband (67)

Chapters 5 - 6

How are they goblins getting batteries?  Who is organizing them?  For what purpose?

Vocabulary:

arson (71)

complacent (72)

insubordination (76)

relent (80)

expendable (89)

Chapters 7 - 8

How could the golbins have known where they would be?  Why do they attack them?

Vocabulary:

melodramatic (104)

inept (106)

detest (107)

magnanimous (109)

bemuse (110)

Chapter 9

Describe the attempt to save Holly's finger.  Is Artemis helpful or harmful in this?

Vocabulary:

demote (140)

heresy (146)

limber (147)

flummox (150)

keening (153)

Chapter 10

What is Opal's overall plan?  Why does she dislike Foaly so much?

Vocabulary:

quiver (161)

dissipate (162)

maneuver (165)

conjecture (167)

marauding (172)

Chapters 11 - 12

What has Mulch Diggums been doing since his escape?  How will he help Root and Short?

Vocabulary:

reclusive (179)

intrepid (180)

elusive (183)

surge (188)

apex (192)

Chapter 13

In what ways does Artemis act out of character in order to help his team?

Vocabulary:

contraction (222)

intolerable (228)

ferment (230)

reprobate (232)

confiscate (233)

Chapters 14 - Epilogue

Are they able to rescue Artemis senior?  Describe the attempt.  What does not go according to plan?

Vocabulary:

recognition (263)

phobic (267)

purge (272)

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Prologue - Chapter 2

What do we know about the Fowl and Butler families?  Why has Artemis decided to focus on faries?

Vocabulary:

bamboozle (1)

testy (3)

pessimism (4)

discern (9)

reverent (14)

Chapter 3

How does Holly stop the troll?  Why is commander Root angry with her?  Do you think she did the right thing?

Vocabulary:

inconspicuous (33)

contraband (35)

restraint (39)

subdue (50)

misnomer (52)

Chapter 4

What equipment does Artemis bring in order to observe and catch a fairy?  Why is each piece important?

Vocabulary:

ritual (64)

abduct (66)

revelry (67)

affinity (69)

vantage (71)

Chapter 5

What message does Artemis want to send to the fairies?  What does he want from them?  How do they respond?

Vocabulary:

manacle (78)

quip (84)

cranium (85)

coax (90)

overt (96)

Chapter 6

What are the procedures that LEP goes through with hostages?  What does Artemis want from this?

Vocabulary:

cavalier (113)

dithering (118)

facsimile (117)

insolent (119)

charade (121)

Chapter 7

List the events this chapter that were not part of Artemis' plan.

Vocabulary:

kleptomaniac (161)

treacherous (164)

comply (167)

reprobate (169)

amnesty (171)

Chapter 8

Describe Butler.  How does he do his job?  What does he care about?

Vocabulary:

abnormal (202)

tantamount (204)

indespensible (210)

masoleum (212)

Chapter 9

How did Artemis escape the time field?  Explain his thinking.

Vocabulary:

astute (240)

blatant (246)

congregate (250)

tentative (254)

The Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

Chapters 1 - 2

Why do the children have to move in with Count Olaf?  What are your first impressions of him?\

Vocabulary:

resourcesful (1)

rickety (2)

retain (4)

perish (8)

brisk (18)

Chapters 3 - 4

How do Count Olaf and Justice Strauss treat the orphans differently?  Give some examples.

Vocabulary:

troupe (30)

dismay (31)

desire (36)

simmer (44)

Chapters 5 - 6

Do you think Mr. Poe should have called Count Olaf after the orphan's visit?  Why?

Vocabulary:

literally (68)

figuratively (68)

confidence (73)

standoffish (74)

Chapters 7 - 9

Explain Count Olaf's plan to take the orphan's money. How is he trying to force them into going along with his plan?

Vocabulary:

incentive (84)

hastily (92)

fulfill (94)

nuptual (96)

feigning (109)

Chapters 10 - 11

What are some of the ideas the orpahns have on how to disrupt the play?

Vocabulary:

nefarious (118)

adroit (121)

illegible (124)

deplorable (127)

Chapters 12 - 13

What is the fate of the orpahns?  Why are they not allowed to live with the judge?

Vocabulary:

pandemonium (138)

duration (141)

insipid (141)

invalid (152)

aberrant (162)