T E A C H E R ’ S

G U I D E

Keep Your Eye on Amanda!

Written by Avi Illustrated by Tim Bush

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

Teacher’s Guide by Sherrye Dee Garrett, Ed.D. D

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Table of Contents

About Keep Your Eye on Amanda! . . . . 3 Lesson Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Additional Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Word Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Answers to Chapter Questions . . . . . 24 Trivia Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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About Keep Your Eye on Amanda! The Keep Your Eye on Amanda! Teacher’s Guide gives students an opportunity to interact with literature, art, and the newspaper through this story by Avi. Tim Bush provides the illustrations. Keep Your Eye on Amanda! is a delightful tale about a pair of raccoon twins—Philip and Amanda. Philip is responsible. He follows rules and he keeps his eye on his sister. Amanda has a deep-seated need for excitement and adventure. Her rebellious nature leads her into a partnership in crime with a local burglar. Philip and the other animals in Boulder’s Central Park must save Amanda from herself. The animals come up with a creative solution that is exciting enough even for Amanda. Lesson Plans The lesson plans for each chapter are divided into these parts: Vocabulary identifies important vocabulary words in the chapter. Teachers may use the vocabulary instructional activities they choose, such as identifying phonics elements, using root words and affixes, or determining meaning from context. Let’s Discuss questions provide an opportunity to discuss the story with students. Most of the questions require students to obtain meaning across text and to think critically. Newspaper Activities offer real-world connections that relate to the topics and content of each chapter. Additional Activities These activities help students explore topics and literary elements in the story. Puzzles A crossword puzzle and a word search are provided. Acknowledgements This teacher’s guide was developed by the Use The News Foundation in collaboration with Breakfast Serials. It was created by Dr. Sherrye Dee Garrett. Use The News Foundation seeks to develop educational projects that provide resources addressing human rights issues such as diversity, character education, health and nutrition, safety, disaster preparedness, the environment, and the elimination of prejudice. Founded in August 1998, the Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that fosters partnerships with schools, Newspaper In Education programs, and their business sponsors. For information, contact Dr. Betty L. Sullivan at 415-861-1637 or via e-mail: [email protected]. Keep Your Eye on Amanda! is syndicated by Breakfast Serials, an organization founded by Avi to promote reading by providing good children’s literature for newspapers. For more information, contact: Linda Wright Breakfast Serials 859 South York Street Denver, Colorado, 80209 Telephone: 303-777-0538 e-mail: [email protected]

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CHAPTER

1

Introduces Philip and Amanda

Let’s Discuss 1. What evidence do Amanda and Philip have that the house they are looking at is deserted? 2. Where do Amanda and Philip live? 3. What did the twins’ mother mean when she said Amanda loves excitement too much and rules too little? 4. How does Amanda get Philip to do what she wants? 5. Why isn’t Amanda afraid of the man they find in bed in the house? 6. What is Philip afraid might happen to the raccoons if they get caught in the house? 7. What three words would you use to describe Amanda? What three words would you use to describe Philip? 8. Why do you think the twins’ mother has told Philip to be in charge, rather than Amanda? 9. Why do you think Philip doesn’t want to follow Amanda? 10. Make a prediction: What will Philip find when he goes to Amanda?

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

exasperation, n extreme frustration

Find a newspaper photo or comic strip that shows two children. Pretend they are siblings. Make up an adventure story about them.

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sarcastically, adv in a nasty, hur tful way

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

reluctance, n a holding back

CHAPTER

2

Inside the House

Let’s Discuss 1. In the house, what different foods attract Amanda and Philip? 2. How does Philip talk himself into believing that it is OK to eat the granola? 3. What accident does Philip cause in the kitchen? How is this important later in the story? 4. Why does Philip think the man in the house resembles a raccoon? 5. Why isn’t Amanda concerned about the man who is chasing them? 6. How do Philip and Amanda respond differently to being chased? 7. What upset does Philip cause as he tries to escape? 8. Why do you think Amanda didn’t follow Philip out of the house? 9. What would you do if you caught two raccoons in your home? 10. Make a prediction: What will happen to Amanda in the house?

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

careened, v moved from side to side in a dangerous way

Look through the grocery store ads for foods that Philip and Amanda would like to eat. Add up the costs of the foods you select.

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dapper, adj ver y stylish, neat and trim swooned, v fainted from delight

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CHAPTER

3

What Happened to Amanda?

Let’s Discuss 1. How does Amanda try to trick the man into feeling sorry for her? 2. What does Joe say that makes Amanda realize he doesn’t own the house? 3. How does Joe explain the fact that he is occupying the house? 4. What word does Joe use to describe his “job”? 5. Why is Amanda so intrigued with Joe’s work? 6. What argument does Amanda use to persuade Joe to let her work with him? 7. Why do you think Amanda wants to become a thief like Joe? 8. How do you think Philip feels when Amanda doesn’t come out of the house? 9. What tells you that Philip’s mother is old? 10. Make a prediction: What will Philip do to help Amanda?

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

VOCAB U LARY cupola, n a small structure on top of a roof

Find a comic strip that shows someone getting into trouble.

(coal) tender, n a vehicle attached to a locomotive that carries fuel

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

slyly, adv in a sneaky manner

CHAPTER

4

Philip Returns to the House

Let’s Discuss 1. How does Philip show concern for his sister? 2. Why is Philip so familiar with the train they live in? 3. Why isn’t Gloria eager to help Philip? 4. Why isn’t Gloria too worried about Amanda? 5. How does Philip get back into the house on Grove Street? 6. Why does Amanda admire Joe? 7. Why would it be natural for Philip to sleep most of the day? 8. What information in the newspaper makes Philip think Amanda is involved in the neighborhood burglaries? 9. Why do you think Philip is sure that Joe is forcing Amanda to steal? 10. Make a prediction: What will Philip do to prove Amanda’s innocence?

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

flue, n a channel in a chimney that lets fire and smoke escape to the outside

Make an Amanda collage. Cut words out of the newspaper that describe Amanda. Make a collage using your words.

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mused, v said in a thoughtful way rash, n large number of occurrences in a shor t time

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CHAPTER

5

Amanda and Joe

Let’s Discuss 1. How does Amanda compare Joe to Philip? 2. How does Amanda help Joe break into the small house? 3. What is different about the items Joe steals and the items Amanda steals? 4. What food item in the small house tempts Amanda? 5. Why do Amanda and Joe leave the small house so quickly? 6. What emotions does Philip feel when he first sees Joe returning to the house on Grove Street? 7. What does Amanda do to play on Joe’s emotions? 8. How do you think Philip feels when he sees that Amanda is acting freely? 9. Why do you think Philip is sure that Joe and Amanda actually stole the items they have with them? 10. Make a prediction: What will Philip do to save Amanda?

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

console, v tr y to make someone feel better

Look through your newspaper for photos of items that would attract Joe and Amanda. Circle Joe’s items in red. Circle Amanda’s items in blue. Compare your selections with those of your classmates.

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save, prep except

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

hunched, adv curled up in a ball

CHAPTER

6

Philip Learns a Few Things

Let’s Discuss 1. Why do you think Amanda tells Philip to go away when he comes back to the house on Grove Street? 2. What do you think Amanda means when she says, “I’m not the sister you knew”? 3. Why do you think Amanda tells Philip to do something to surprise her? 4. Why would it be difficult for Philip to go to the authorities about Amanda? 5. What does Philip think about Amanda’s challenge to do something surprising? 6. Why does Philip go to Boulder Creek instead of going home after his meeting with Amanda? 7. Why are Philip’s encounters with Miss Matilda, Pickwick and Brian important? 8. Do you think the other animals are right to be upset? Why or why not? 9. Why does Philip finally decide to go to the courthouse to look for help? 10. Make a prediction: What will happen when Philip goes to the courthouse?

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

impolite, adj rude

Find three exciting things in the newspaper that Amanda could do instead of stealing. Explain why each would be a good choice.

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plight, n a bad situation shame, n extreme embarrassment or humiliation

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CHAPTER

7

Philip Goes for Help

Let’s Discuss 1. How does Philip get into the courthouse unseen? 2. Why does Philip decide to talk to a judge instead of a police officer? 3. What problem does Police Chief Banyan discuss with Judge Peebles? 4. How does Judge Peebles feel about animals? 5. How have Amanda’s actions created problems for all the animals? 6. Why do you think Gloria reacts the way she does when Philip tells her about his trip to the courthouse? 7. Why does Philip try to stay out of sight after he returns from the courthouse? 8. What frightening news does Philip overhear on his way to the creek? 9. Why do you think Philip decides to run away? 10. Make a prediction: Where will Philip go?

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

earnest, adj ver y sincere, impor tant

Read a newspaper story about your local police department. Write a paragraph describing how a police action is helping your community.

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scant, adj a small amount , meager

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

pug nose, n a nose that is cur ved in at the bridge and has flattened nostrils

CHAPTER

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Philip Runs Away

Let’s Discuss 1. Why does Philip want to get far away from Amanda? 2. Why do you think Philip’s mother sleeps so much? 3. Who does Philip meet on his way to the canyon? 4. Why isn’t Philip honest with Hubert about the reason for his trip? 5. Why does Philip finally agree to let Hubert come with him? 6. What examples does Hubert give of Amanda’s wild behavior? 7. Why is Hubert offended when Philip says, “Yeah, it all stinks”? 8. What idea does Hubert offer for dealing with Amanda? 9. Why do you think Philip hadn’t thought of a group meeting? 10. What ideas do you think the animals might suggest?

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY Find a news story about a local community

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

group that is trying to improve the quality of life in your area. Make a list of their

VOCAB U LARY morosely, adv in a gloomy manner stew, n a state of worr y or confusion weariness, n extreme tiredness

suggestions for changing the community. Do you agree or disagree with their ideas? Why or why not?

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CHAPTER

9

The Animals Have a Meeting

Let’s Discuss 1. How do the different animals react to the idea of a meeting? 2. What is Rebecca the coyote like? 3. What stories about Amanda does Rebecca remember? 4. How does Philip’s mother react to his idea about a meeting? 5. How does a remark of Gloria’s remind Philip of something Amanda said? 6. Why do you think Philip is nervous about the meeting? 7. Why do you think so many animals come to the meeting? 8. What does Hubert do to support Philip? 9. Why do you think Philip makes excuses for Amanda’s behavior by saying she is “just a little wild”? 10. Make a prediction: What do you think Philip will suggest to the group?

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

aloof, adj standoffish, unconcerned about others

Look through the newspaper for as many animal names as you can find. Classify the animals into domesticated and wild.

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ruefully, adv with regret

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

fixed, adj unchanging

CHAPTER

10

What to Do About Amanda

Let’s Discuss 1. What suggestions do the other animals have for stopping Amanda? 2. What is so surprising about Philip’s idea? 3. How do the animals respond to Philip’s idea? 4. What does Philip see in the Grove Street house that makes him believe that Amanda is still stealing? 5. Why do you think Amanda steals only junk? 6. Why do you think Amanda is driving the car instead of Joe? 7. How has Amanda's appearance changed since the last time Philip saw her? 8. Why do you think Joe is so unhappy with Amanda’s loot? 9. Why do you think Philip doesn’t talk to Amanda while he is in the house? 10. Make a prediction: How will Philip prevent Amanda from robbing the judge’s house?

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

adept, adj skillful

Find newspaper ads for makeup and dye that Amanda could use for her new look. Total the costs of the different supplies.

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gilt-edged, adj having gold-plated trim stealth, n secrecy

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CHAPTER

11

The Denver & Rio Grande Rolls Again!

Let’s Discuss 1. Why are the animals in such a hurry to capture Amanda? 2. What do the animals gather as fuel for the train? 3. What other items do the animals get that are necessary to run the train? 4. How does Philip’s mother help? 5. How will the animals know when Amanda leaves to go to the judge’s house? 6. Why is Amanda so excited about robbing Judge Peebles’s house? 7. How do the different animals help run the train? 8. Why does it take the train so long to get started? 9. What unfortunate accident does Hubert have? 10. Make a prediction: What will happen with the animals and the train?

Find a newspaper story that shows people using teamwork to accomplish a goal. How many people were involved? What contribution did each make?

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VOCAB U LARY piercing, adj shrill, penetrating stench, n extremely bad odor swath, n path

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

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CHAPTER

12

Inside Judge Peebles’s House

Let’s Discuss 1. Why do you think the train stopped at the end of the track? 2. How is Philip going to get the other animals into the house? 3. Why is Philip so pleased with the animals’ plan? 4. What kind of books does Judge Peebles have in his house? 5. What is Judge Peebles doing when Philip comes through the chimney? 6. What causes Philip to stop before he can get to the door to let the animals in? 7. Why are Amanda and Joe arguing? 8. What happens after Amanda falls and crashes to the floor? 9. What happens to Amanda as a result of her fall? 10. Make a prediction: What will the judge do now?

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

gable, n triangular par t of a roof

Look through your newspaper for different kinds of transportation Philip and the animals could have used to get to Amanda. Explain how each one could be a good choice.

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lurched, v moved in a halting way pitched, adj at an extreme angle

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CHAPTER

13

Amanda Caught!

Let’s Discuss 1. How is Amanda’s attitude different after her fall? 2. How does Philip hide Amanda from the judge? 3. How does Amanda’s hiding place affect her appearance? 4. What escape route do Philip and Amanda try? 5. What does Judge Peebles do to try to stop Philip and Amanda? What happens as a result? 6. How do the judge and Philip fight over Amanda? What happens? 7. What happens to Joe? 8. What surprises Amanda when she gets to the train? 9. How does Amanda’s attitude change during her rescue? 10. Make a prediction: How will the animals teach Amanda a lesson?

Look at hardware and department store ads for five items Philip could have used to help Amanda escape from the judge’s house. Explain how Philip could use each one.

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VOCAB U LARY predicament, n a difficult situation reeled, v walked in an unsteady fashion smithereens, n small pieces

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Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

CHAPTER

14

Amanda Learns Her Fate

Let’s Discuss 1. Where do the animals put Amanda when they return to the park? 2. Why is Hubert selected as the judge? 3. Why do you think none of the animals wants to defend Amanda? 4. How has Amanda endangered the animal community? 5. What is Amanda’s response to the charges against her? 6. What are Rebecca’s arguments in her case against Amanda? 7. What are Philip’s arguments in his case defending Amanda? 8. What is Amanda’s sentence? Do you think it is fair? Why or why not? 9. How do Philip and Gloria feel about Amanda’s attitude after her trial? 10. Make a prediction: Do you think Amanda will change? Why or why not?

Illustration ©2003 Tim Bush

NEWSPAPER ACTIVITY

blustery, adj with strong wind gusts

Read the community calendar section of your newspaper. Find three things Amanda could do to help your community. Explain why they would be good choices.

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consequences, n results, effects of actions forcibly, adv in a strong way

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Additional Activities 1.

3.

Draw a picture of your favorite event in the story (e.g., Philip eating granola, Amanda stealing small items, Amanda in her “punk” look, the animals riding on the train to save Amanda, the trial).

Collect comic strips that involve animals. In what ways are the cartoon animals depicted as having behaviors that are natural to their species? In what ways are animals given human characteristics?

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4.

Many words in this story relate to stealing. Discuss these vocabulary words, which are related to stealing.

Use resource books and the Internet to learn more about the habits of raccoons. In what ways are Amanda and Philip like real raccoons? In what ways are they different from real raccoons?

Steal–to take the property of someone else, especially as a habitual or regular practice.

5.

Thievery–stealing, especially stealthily or secretly.

Complete the graphic organizers that follow in this guide to help students understand story elements.

Burglary–breaking into a building, especially the home of another person, with the intent to steal. In legal terms, burglary is a felony, a serious crime with the punishment of at least a year in jail. Joe stole items that would probably qualify his crime as a felony. Amanda’s stolen items would not have value in legal terms.

• Story Elements • Story Zigzag • Compare Amanda With Philip

Robbery–taking personal property from someone under threat of violence. In legal terms, robbery requires face-to-face contact with another person.

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Story Elements There are seven main elements in stories. Fill in the table below to show these elements in Keep Your Eye on Amanda! Element

Keep Your Eye on Amanda!

Beginning-middle-end

What is the setting and conflict? Who are the characters?

Repetition

What words, phrases or events are repeated?

Plot

What is the sequence of events in the story? What conflict occurs?

Setting

What is the story’s time and place?

Characters

Who are the people and animals in the story?

Theme

What is the main point of the story?

Point of view

Is the story told through the eyes of one character? Is the story told from the point of view of an outside observer? (The author knows everything about the characters and action.)

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Story Zigzag Write words from the story that illustrate the different story elements from Keep Your Eye on Amanda! on the zigzag lines below.

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Compare Amanda and Philip Complete the Venn diagram below to show how Philip and Amanda are alike and how they are different.

Amanda

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Amanda’s Crossword

ACROSS

1 in a strong way 5 9 11 13 17 19 20 22

small pieces moved in a halting way path at an extreme angle frustration extreme embarrassment skillful small structure on the top of a roof

DOWN

2 with regret

4 6 7 8 10 12 14 15 16 18 19 21 23

rude walked unsteadily small amount said in a thoughtful way try to make someone feel better extremely bad odor curled up in a ball stylish, neat and trim difficult situation state of worry or confusion in a sneaky way channel in a chimney bad situation

3 unchanging KEEP YOU R EYE ON AMAN DA!

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Amanda’s Word Search

ADEPT

FLUE

PITCHED

SMITHEREENS

ALOOF

FORCIBLY

PLIGHT

STENCH

CONSOLE

HUNCHED

PREDICAMENT

SWATH

CUPOLA

IMPOLITE

RASH

SWOONED

DAPPER

LURCHED

REELED

EXASPERATION

MOROSELY

SCANT

FIXED

MUSED

SLYLY

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Answers to Chapter Questions Chapter 1: Introduces Philip and Amanda

Chapter 3: What Happened to Amanda?

1. The house is dark; Amanda saw people moving out; there are no curtains and there is no smoke coming from the chimney. 2. In a train in Central Park in Boulder, Colorado. 3. Answers may vary. She thinks Amanda takes too many chances. 4. Answers may vary. She makes fun of him and uses arguments to persuade him. 5. He is asleep. 6. They could be caged, skinned and eaten. 7. Answers may vary. 8. Answers may vary. Philip is more responsible and less adventurous. 9. Answers may vary. He is more fearful; he has a greater sense of right and wrong. 10. Answers will vary.

1. Answers may vary. She says she is starving and that she is just getting food for her mother. 2. He says that it isn’t his food and that he is just putting the empty house to good use. 3. Answers may vary. He says he feels sorry for the empty house and that his being there makes the house feel better. 4. He says he is a “re-user.” 5. She says raccoons are often accused of being thieves themselves. 6. She says she knows the city and that she is small enough to get into small places—so she could get into houses easily. 7. Answers may vary. She likes excitement and danger. 8. Answers may vary. He was worried; he felt responsible for her; he was determined to help her. 9. Answers may vary. She has shaggy, gray fur and droopy eyes. 10. Answers will vary.

Chapter 2: Inside the House 1. Amanda likes dry dog food; Philip likes granola. 2. He reminds himself of Amanda’s argument that it was left behind by the people who moved. 3. He knocks over a bottle of oil. Later, the man in the house slips and falls because of the slippery oil on the floor. 4. He is wearing a brown suit and tie; he wears dark sunglasses. 5. She feels she can talk her way out of anything. 6. Philip is frightened, but Amanda is confident and unafraid. 7. Philip runs between the man’s legs and makes him fall. 8. Answers may vary. 9. Answers may vary. Trap them; call animal control. Keep them as pets. 10. Answers will vary.

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Chapter 4: Philip Returns to the House 1. Answers may vary. He can’t sleep. He is afraid Amanda might be hurt; he is determined to help her. 2. His parents had traveled in the train for many years. They told him a lot of stories about the train. 3. Answers may vary. She says she has rescued too many cubs before. She is very tired. 4. Answers may vary. She says Amanda is clever and can probably take care of her own problems. 5. He goes down the chimney. 6. She thinks he is thrilling and resourceful. She thinks “reusing” items is responsible behavior. 7. Raccoons are nocturnal animals. They do a lot of their scavenging and eating at night. 8. The story says that the thief seems to be small enough to go down chimneys and enter homes through narrow window openings. 9. Answers may vary. He can’t believe Amanda would want to do anything that is so bad. 10. Answers will vary.

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Chapter 5: Amanda and Joe

Chapter 7: Philip Goes for Help

1. She thinks Joe is being too cautious, like her brother. 2. She goes through an open window and opens the door from the inside. 3. Joe steals items he can resell, such as silverware and electronics. Amanda steals what many people would consider junk–broken pieces of plastic, an empty can, and a bent spoon. 4. Peanut butter. 5. Amanda accidentally sets off the alarm system. 6. Answers may vary. He is angry with Joe for making Amanda steal. He feels sure Amanda is being forced to help Joe. 7. She reminds him that he hurt her paw when he first found her in the Grove Street house. 8. Answers may vary. He is shocked. He doesn’t want to believe it. 9. Answers may vary. They carried the items in bags. 10. Answers will vary.

1. He hides under a woman’s long coat. 2. He believes that judges are wise. 3. The police chief tells the judge that he suspects the park animals are involved in the rash of thefts. 4. He thinks most are lazy, except for cows and horses. He thinks wild animals should be hunted. 5. The police blame all the animals for the thefts. They are going to punish all the animals. 6. Answers may vary. She doesn’t seem overly upset about Judge Peebles’s statements. She is too tired to do anything. 7. He is afraid of both the police and the other park animals. 8. He hears the police saying that Judge Peebles told them they can go after the park animals. 9. Answers may vary. He doesn’t want to get caught by the police. He can’t deal with Amanda’s problems. He feels the community’s disapproval. 10. Answers will vary.

Chapter 6: Philip Learns a Few Things

Chapter 8: Philip Runs Away

1. Answers may vary. She is having fun. She doesn’t want him to tell her what she should do. 2. Answers may vary. She has changed. She has a different life now. 3. Answers may vary. She likes excitement. She thinks Philip is too dull. 4. Answers may vary. He thinks it might help Amanda but at the same time, he doesn’t want to cause trouble. It seems like a drastic step to go to the police. 5. Answers may vary. He realizes that Amanda is right. He doesn’t do exciting things. 6. Answers may vary. He is hungry and has to look for food. He doesn’t want to face his mother and he wants time alone to think about Amanda. 7. Answers may vary. He learns that the other animals already know about Amanda. They are angry because Amanda is giving all the animals a bad name. 8. Answers may vary. 9. Answers may vary. He has a sense of duty to the other animals and to Amanda. 10. Answers will vary.

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1. Answers may vary. He is unhappy because he doesn’t know what to do about Amanda. 2. Answers may vary. She is old; she has mothered 53 cubs. 3. His friend Hubert, a skunk. 4. Answers may vary. He is too embarrassed to talk about Amanda. He is ashamed to be running away. 5. He realizes he doesn’t want to be alone. Hubert would be a good listener. 6. He talks about the time when Amanda organized roller blade races on the mall, and another time when she took over a school lunch room. 7. Answers may vary. As a skunk, he might be very sensitive to the word “stinks.” 8. He suggests that the animals should have a meeting to discuss what to do about Amanda. Together, they might be able to find a solution. 9. Answers may vary. He had thought the other animals were angry at him and wouldn’t want to help him. 10. Answers will vary.

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Chapter 9: The Animals Have a Meeting

Chapter 11: The Denver & Rio Grande Rolls Again!

1. There is mixed reaction; some are excited and some are cautious. 2. She has squinty eyes and a fixed smile. She is vain; she likes looking at a painting of herself. Philip is not sure he trusts her. 3. Amanda challenged a university football team to a game of Kick the Can. She once tried to dam up Boulder Creek to make a hockey rink. 4. She isn’t sure anything will work with Amanda. 5. His mother says that Philip will have to do something remarkable. That reminds Philip of Amanda’s comment that he would have to do something to surprise her. 6. Answers may vary. He was fearful of what the animals might say; he has never talked to a big group before. 7. Answers may vary. They want to save their homes in the park. 8. He won’t let Rebecca boss Philip around. 9. Answers may vary. He loves his sister and believes in her. 10. Answers will vary.

1. She is going to rob Judge Peebles’s house and he is already angry at the animals. 2. Branches, twigs and nuts. 3. The cats looked for a source of fire, while the ducks and geese got water for the boiler. 4. She tells him how to get the train running; she checks the wheels; and she gives him advice on running the train. 5. The cats watch the house on Grove Street and plan to alert the others when Amanda and Joe leave. 6. Answers may vary. It is dangerous to rob such an important man, especially when he is already angry about the animals. It gives her a sense of power. 7. The raccoons feed wood into the fire; a squirrel operates the lamp; Philip drives the train. 8. The train hasn’t run for many years. The levers, dials and wheels are rusty. 9. In his excitement, he sprays one of the rabbits. 10. Answers will vary.

Chapter 12: Inside Judge Peebles’s House 1. It doesn’t have the power to jump off the track. 2. Philip would climb down the chimney and open the door or windows so the other animals could come in. 3. He is sure it will surprise Amanda. 4. Books on law and hunting. 5. He is asleep in his chair. 6. He hears Joe and Amanda whispering in a bathroom. 7. Joe is afraid Amanda will fall from the medicine cabinet and wake the judge. 8. The judge wakes up and comes after the intruders with a gun. 9. She lays on the floor and seems dazed and confused. 10. Answers will vary.

Chapter 10: What to Do About Amanda 1. The squirrels want to put her in a hole; the deer suggests a committee talk to her; and the coyote says to put her on trial. 2. He wants to use the train to get her even though the train hasn’t been used in years. 3. They are enthusiastic. 4. He sees new junk—silver foil, bottle caps and spoons. 5. Answers may vary. These are items that would appeal to a raccoon because they are bright, shiny, and colorful small objects. 6. Answers may vary. She likes excitement. She says she “has to” drive; perhaps Joe doesn’t know how to drive. 7. She wears makeup and jewelry and she has colored her fur bright colors. 8. He sees it as junk; it is not something he can sell. 9. Answers may vary. He knows it wouldn’t do any good. 10. Answers will vary.

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Chapter 13: Amanda Caught!

Chapter 14: Amanda Learns Her Fate

1. She claims the burglaries weren’t her idea; she wants Philip to help her. 2. He hides her in the toilet tank. 3. The water in the toilet tank causes her eyeliner to run. The dye on her fur comes off and drips on the floor. 4. They head for a window in the dining room. 5. He shoots at them with his shotgun. The blast blows off the fur on top of Amanda’s head, leaving her bald. The blast also shatters the window. 6. Philip tries to pull Amanda through the window, but the judge holds on to her boots. Then Gloria helps Philip pull Amanda free. 7. The judge falls on top of him, then Joe faints. 8. Answers may vary. She is surprised that Philip drove the old train. She is also surprised when the other animals push her into a corner and guard her. 9. At first she wants Philip to save her; after she is on the train, she became angrier. 10. Answers will vary.

1. They put her in the jail the squirrels built. 2. With his black fur, he looks like a judge. 3. Answers may vary. The animals are angry because she has caused them trouble. She is guilty. 4. The authorities are ready to clear the animals out of the park. They could lose their homes. 5. She says the other animals are boring and it is their fault that she had to look for more exciting things to do. 6. She says Amanda knows that stealing is wrong and that she has been told repeatedly not to steal. Yet Amanda stopped stealing only when she was caught. 7. He says she is young and has too much energy. He and his mother ask the court for mercy. 8. Answers may vary. She has to return everything she stole and she has to work five hours a week for six weeks picking up trash in the park. 9. They are pleased that she accepts her punishment, but they are still worried because she still craves excitement–she wants to drive the train. 10. Answers will vary.

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Trivia Questions 1. What kind of staircase did Philip have to use to go from the second to the first floor of the house on Grove Street?

8. What food had Amanda prepared when she took over the lunchroom at University Hill School?

Pickled marshmallows and toothpasted bananas.

A spiral staircase. 2. What kind of oil was in the bottle Philip broke?

9. At what time did the animals hold their meeting?

Peanut oil.

At 2:00 a.m.

3. What was the number of the train that was the home to Philip, Amanda and Gloria?

10. What color lipstick did Amanda wear?

Deep purple.

Number 30. 11. What unlucky animal received Hubert’s accidental spray?

4. What was Amanda’s injury when Joe hit her with the broom?

A rabbit.

Her right paw was hurt. 12. What kind of chair was Judge Peebles sitting in?

5. Where did Amanda find the peanut butter that distracted her when she and Joe were burglarizing a house?

A wingback chair.

On top of the refrigerator.

13. Who guarded Amanda when the animals got her back on the train?

6. What kind of animal is Pickwick?

Squirrels, raccoons and rabbits.

A white cat. 14. How old was Amanda? 7. What request does Police Chief Banyan make of Judge Peebles?

One year old.

He wanted permission to get rid of all the wild animals in the park.

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