The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Schusterman

Chapters 1 - 2

Why is Jason upset with his life?  What is wrong with it?

Vocabualry:

"keel over" (1)

solemn (2)

obliterate (6)

fanatic (12)

premonition (15)

strode (22)

Chapters 3 - 4

What is an epidemic?  What do we know about the events twenty years ago in Billington?

Vocabualry:

observant (24)

fallow (25)

mosaic (30)

taunt (38)

delirous (41)

mandatory (43)

Chapters 5 - 6

How do Jason's parents react to his glove?  What do you think they mean when they say, "not from here"?

Vocabualry:

isolate (49)

midst (54)

enigmatic (54)

eerie (56)

aura (58)

urgency (60)

Chapters 7 - 8

How did Ethan really die?  Why did he need human genes?  Where did everyone get thier DNA from?

Vocabualry:

loomed (68)

conquest (71)

exploit (73)

enlighten (85)

grime (89)

intuition (90)

Chapters 9 - 10

What truth has Jason learned about himself and the others?  Why will he not be able to tell them?

Vocabualry:

isolate (96)

guise (99)

menace (109)

reluctant (123)

marauding (125)

confrontation (129)

Chapters 11 - 13

Do you think Jason actually has to break up with Paula?  What are the reasons for and against it?

Vocabualry:

reconcile (135)

quivering (138)

mason (142)

salvage (143)

revamped (151)

diabolical (154)

Chapters 14 - 15

How have Jason's actions changed everything?  What can he do?  Where can he go?

vulnerable (163)

epidemic (167)

strode (169)

grandious (120)

depraved (170)

morose (180)

Chapters 16 - 17

Wht choice does Jason make in the end?  What could be the outcome of this choice?

Vocabualry:

contentment (199)

meander (205)

integrity (206)

splendor (226)

awestruck (229)

Crows and Cards by Joseph Helgerson

Chapters 1 - 4

What sort of advice was Zeb given by his parents?  Does Chilly seem to be trustworthy?  Why or why not?

Vocabulary:

cooper (1)

grandeur (4)

enlist (9)

flummox (16)

deduction (18)

"bona fide" (29)

Chapters 5 - 7

What lessons has Zeb already learned from Chilly?  Do you think Chilly will really help Zeb in the end?

Vocabulary:

snicker (35)

superstitious (37)

commenced (39)

calamity (44)

tolerate (47)

swoon (50)

Chapters 8 - 10

How does Chilly justify cheating?  Do you agree with his thinking?  How are Chilly and Ho-John's thoughts diferent?

Vocabulary:

tote (62)

mournful (66)

heft (70)

pamper (72)

sulk (82)

recoil (83)

Chapters 11 - 14

What do we know about Chief Standing Ten-Bears?  Do you think he really has the powers they say he does?  Why?

Vocabulary:

palaver (90)

oracle (94)

grovel (102)

dredge (108)

stupefaction (112)

Chapters 15 - 18

Do you think Zeb should feel bad about what he did to Chief Standing Ten-Bears?  Should Zeb change his ways?  For what reasons?

Vocabulary:

scamper (122)

wager (128)

divulge (131)

cleaving (135)

satchel (139)

cipher (147)

Chapters 19 - 21

Why does Zeb have a change of heart about gambling?  How do Chilly, Goose and the Proffesor feel about it?

Vocabulary:

gumption (151)

woe (156)

excursion (165)

cackle (166)

indulge (177)

Chapters 22 - 25

What plan has Zeb come up with?  What will it mean to Chilly and Ten-Bears?

Vocabulary:

lame (183)

confound (186)

condolences (188)

mince (194)

roving (204)

Chapters 26 - 28

How do you think Chilly will react to his game of cards with the Chief?

Vocabulary:

crimp (215)

grope (224)

confer (227)

satchel (233)

Chapters 29 - Afterward

How do things end up for Zeb and Ten-Bears?  Did Chilly get what he deserved?  Explain.

Vocabulary:

cache (240)

baying (245)

beholden (261)

tribulations (273)