Contents Intent and/or Tone Contents x Foreword xi Preface xii Ripe Figs A Sample Lesson 1 Kate Chopin Ripe Figs 2 Chapter 1 Characters and Conflicts 23 Langston Hughes Salvation 25 We share the narrator''s confusion in this light yet introspective tale. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 25 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 27 Pre-reading Questions 27 "Salvation" 28 Journal 31 Follow-up Questions 34 Discussion Questions 35 Writing 35 Sandra Cisneros Eleven 36 Sandra Cisneros asks us to look inward to see a composite picture. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 36 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 38 Pre-reading Questions 38 "Eleven" 39 Journal 42 Follow-up Questions 45 Discussion Questions 46 Writing 46 Kate Chopin The Kiss 47 Kate Chopin presents an interesting play between female wiles and male determination in this lively tale. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 47 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 49 Pre-reading Questions 49 "The Kiss" 50 Journal 53 Follow-up Questions 56 Discussion Questions 57 Writing 57 Chapter 2 Setting and Props 59 Roch Carrier The Hockey Sweater 61 With political implications surrounding a central prop, Roch Carrier presents an interesting tale that will be appreciated by anyone who has rooted for a favorite team. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 61 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 63 Pre-reading Questions 63 "The Hockey Sweater" 64 Journal 67 Follow-up Questions 70 Discussion Questions 71 Writing 71 R. K. Narayan Trail of the Green Blazer 72 With an ironic turn of events, a thief is overcome by his own game and the things around him. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 72 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 74 Pre-reading Questions 74 "Trail of the Green Blazer" 75 Journal 79 Follow-up Questions 82 Discussion Questions 83 Writing 83 Mark Twain Strong Temptations--Strategic Movements-- The Innocents Beguiled 84 Told with humor and irony, this is the classic tale of Tom Sawyer painting the fence.

Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 84 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 86 Pre-reading Questions 86 "Strong Temptations--Strategic Movements-- The Innocents Beguiled" 87 Journal 92 Follow-up Questions 95 Discussion Questions 96 Writing 96 Chapter 3 Plot and Foreshadowing 97 Joseph Bruchac Bone Girl 98 There are morals and a classic example of foreshadowing in this informa- tive ghost story. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 98 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 100 Pre-reading Questions 100 "Bone Girl" 101 Journal 108 Follow-up Questions 111 Discussion Questions 112 Writing 112 Max Brand Wine on the Desert 113 A story inside a story foreshadows the justice that is brutally served in this powerful story. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 113 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 115 Pre-reading Questions 115 "Wine on the Desert" 116 Journal 124 Follow-up Questions 127 Discussion Questions 128 Writing 128 Edgar Allan Poe The Tell-Tale Heart 129 Edgar Allan Poe walks the reader through the homicidal mind in this classic tale of maniacal obsession. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 129 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 131 Pre-reading Questions 131 "The Tell-Tale Heart" 132 Journal 137 Follow-up Questions 140 Discussion Questions 141 Writing 141 Chapter 4 Irony 143 Catherine Lim Ah Bah''s Money 144 Told with a light touch, this story examines little Ah Bah and his family. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 144 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 146 Pre-reading Questions 146 "Ah Bah''s Money" 147 Journal 151 Follow-up Questions 154 Discussion Questions 155 Writing 155 Kate Chopin The Story of an Hour 156 Kate Chopin turns marital assumptions upside down with her ironic twist. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 156 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 158 Pre-reading Questions 158 "The Story of an Hour" 159 Journal 162 Follow-up Questions 165 Discussion Questions 166 Writing 166 O. Henry Gifts of the Magi 167 Love triumphs over all when gifts are well, if not wisely, given. Pre-reading Vocabulary--Context 167 Pre-reading Vocabulary--Structural Attack 169 Pre-reading Questions 169 "Gifts of the Magi" 170 Journal 175 Follow-up Questions 178 Discussion Questions 179 Writing 179 How I Use This Book 181 Glossary of Prefixes and Suffixes 185 Credits 191 Index 192.