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CHAPTER 8: A GHOSTLY WARNING
EALRS
Reading:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2
Writing:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Communication:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Pre-reading Questions:
1. Who is Joe Pastore and why is he important to this story?
2. Symbolism is “the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance
to objects, events, or relationships.” The author seems to be using Joe Pastore as a symbol. What might he represent?
3. Ben seems affected by the idea that someone might sell or kills horses because they were “a disappointment.”
Have you ever been disappointed? Did you want to give up on the person or thing that disappointed you?
Post-reading Questions:
1. In this chapter, Ben meets the boy in the fog again. He tells Ben that he is Joe Pastore. How is this possible?
What are some other explanations for his presence?
2. “Joe” says that, “It’s a bum deal for guys like us.” What does he mean by “guys like us?”
3. What does Ben find? How might this be foreshadowing of what is to come?
4. What is Joe trying to convince Ben of? Do you think Ben ought to listen to Joe?
Activities:
1. Have you ever had someone like Joe in your life? How did you respond? Write Ben a letter in which you explain your
experiences with someone like Joe and provide some guidance on how to deal with him.
2. Dialogue is extremely important to understanding a character. For instance, in chapter eight, Joe says, “Yea, they’re the
purebloods and we’re the mutts, they like to keep us around to show how nice they are, but it’s an act.” What does this
tell you about his personality, outlook and motivation? After discussing this, turn to the comics section of The Seattle Times.
Skim the comics and select one that has dialogue. After reading it, what can you tell about the character’s personality?
CHAPTER 9: AN ACCUSATION
EALRS
Reading:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2
Writing:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Communication:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Pre-reading Questions:
1. Why is Ben at the Wind Rider Farms?
2. Who are the Brennans?
3. At this point in the story, who is your favorite character? Why?
Post-reading Questions:
1. Why did Ben feel as if he wanted to cry or smash his fist into something? Have you ever felt that way? What are some ways
to deal with feelings without hurting yourself or someone else?
2. In this chapter, Ben can feel his tension, fear and loneliness melt away as he spends time with the horses. Does nature
help calm you?
3. What happened between Rachel and Ben in this chapter?
4. What advice would you give Ben for addressing the misunderstanding between Rachel and him?
5. Do you think Rachel has been fair to Ben? Why or why not?
Activities:
1. The author does a fabulous job describing the scene with words. Select a paragraph that you believe is especially well
written. Draw a picture using the author’s words.
2. Authors find ideas for plots and characters everyday, sometimes from articles in the newspaper. Read The Seattle
Times and select an article that gives you an idea for either a story or character. Write the outline for the story
and character descriptions. Over the next few weeks, write a three-chapter story. Try to model it after a serial
story such as, “The Winner’s Circle.” You may want to work in pairs.
