Walk Two Moons Name:____________
Chapters 1–6
Reading Strategy:
Comparing and Contrasting
Sharon Creech’s characters in Walk Two Moons are puzzling, layered with conflicting attitudes and character traits. To understand complex characters, it sometimes helps to think about them in relation to each other. For instance, compare what you know so far about Sal’s parents and Phoebe’s parents. How are they alike? How are they different? Are some of their experiences similar? Are their lives vastly different?
Write about these topics below in complete sentences.
Make a two-column chart, title one column Sal and the other column Phoebe. Write at least two events and character traits in the columns that show how Phoebe and Sal are similar and how they are different.
2. In some cultures, a young person chooses or is given a name that represents some aspect of who he or she is. If you could choose your own name now, what name would you chose? Explain the reasons for your choice.
In Chapter 2, Sal states her belief that if there were any chance to bring her mother home, it would occur on her mother’s birthday. Then Sal says, “My father says I lean on broken reeds and will get a face full of swamp mud one day.” What does this expression mean to you?
In what ways are Mrs. Winterbottom and Sal’s mother similar? In what ways are they different? Support your ideas with examples from the story.
In Chapter 6, the author describes mealtime at Phoebe’s home and writes briefly about a breakfast at Sal’s house. How are the two experiences different? How are character names important in Walk Two Moons?
Writer’s Craft: Foreshadowing
Hints about coming events are buried throughout Sharon Creech’s novel. The reason that Phoebe’s story reminds me of that plaster wall and the hidden fireplace is that beneath Phoebe’s story was another one. Mine. Such hints create mystery, sharpening readers’ interest. These hints are called foreshadowing. Look for other examples of foreshadowing in Chapters 1 through 6. How did you respond to these examples? What did you think when you read them?
Chapters 7–11
Reading Strategy: Making Predictions
Walk Two Moons has a plot that is full of mystery and foreshadowing. There is much to wonder about, and many clues that hint at future developments. Look for these clues as you read and note them in your journal. Use them to help you predict how things will turn out for the characters. As the story develops, re-examine your predictions and adjust them to include new information. For example, what do you think the notes mean? Who could be leaving them on Phoebe’s doorstep, and why?
Write about Making Predictions
Who might the young man who appears at Phoebe’s doorstep be? Predict why he is looking for Mrs. Winterbottom and why he is so interested in Phoebe.
Do Sal’s grandparents remind you of someone you know? Who is it, and what do they have in common with Gramps and Gram?
Have you ever believed you’d been left behind, as Sal did when Gram went to join the dancers? Describe your experience.
Why do you suppose Sal’s mother is in Idaho? Why is it important for Sal to get there by her mother’s birthday?
Sal feels that the Winterbottoms are “thumpingly stiff.” Phoebe warns her that the Finneys are not as “civilized” as her own family is. Give examples of uncivilized and stiff behavior in these households. How do Phoebe and Sal feel about it? If you had to spend a week with the Finneys, the Winterbottoms, or Sal’s family, which would you choose?
Sal says that the wind, the clouds, and the trees whisper, “Rush, rush, rush” and “Hurry, hurry.” What do you think she means by this? Does she really hear voices whispering to her?
Writer’s Craft: Similes
Authors sometimes make unexpected comparisons between characters or events in order to help readers understand them in a new way. When the comparison includes like or as, it is called a simile. Read the simile below from Chapter 10. ”Being a mother is like trying to hold a wolf by the ears,” Gram said. What do you think the author wanted you to understand about motherhood? Write your ideas in your journal. By having Gram make the comparison, the author also tells you something about the character. How would your impression of Gram be different if she had said, “Being a mother is like trying to dance on the deck of a rolling ship”?
Chapters 12–17
Reading Strategy: Drawing Conclusions
The story has become quite complicated. It involves a number of interesting characters, each with his or her own problems and goals. The author has provided enough information for readers to begin drawing conclusions about characters and the challenges they face. Use all that you now know to help you figure out some of the puzzles in Walk Two Moons. For example, why are Phoebe and her sister unable to see their mother’s unhappiness? How does this cause Mrs. Winterbottom to feel?
Writing about Drawing Conclusions
Reread Chapter 15, in which Gram is bitten by a snake. Draw conclusions about Gramps’s character based on events in this chapter. How would you have described Gramps before reading this chapter? Does his behavior in Chapter 15 change your opinion of him? Explain.
At the end of Chapter 16, Sal’s whispers stop telling her to rush and instead warn her to slow down. What might the whispers be warning her about?
Should Sal and her grandparents continue on their journey? If you could send Sal a postcard with a few sentences of advice or comfort, what would you write?
How would you describe the relationship between Mrs. Cadaver and Sal’s father? What’s the real reason that Sal doesn’t like Mrs. Cadaver?
Suppose you could leave a message on the Winterbottoms’ front step. What would you write?
Writer’s Craft: Aphorisms
An aphorism is a brief statement of an observation about life. As the following example shows, aphorisms are sometimes funny: Sometimes you’re the flyswatter, and sometimes you’re the fly. The aphorisms in Walk Two Moons tell us as much about the characters and their situations as they do about life. For example, when Mrs. Winterbottom tells Phoebe, “You can never be too careful,” it illustrates the fearfulness that is a symptom of her own unhappiness. When Phoebe finds a note that reads, “Everyone has his own agenda,” readers think of the insensitivity that Mr. Winterbottom and his daughters show to Mrs. Winterbottom. What observations can you make about life? Create a few aphorisms of your own, and write about them below.
Chapters 18–22
Reading Strategy: Adjusting Your Reading Speed
As the action in a story speeds up, it is tempting to read faster. You may feel an urgent need to find out what will happen next. This is a good time, however, to slow your reading speed. As exciting things occur, one right after another, it is easy to miss important details that may explain future events. Slowing your reading speed will not only help you avoid confusion later; it will also allow you to enjoy Sharon Creech’s unique writing style. Slowly read the description of Sal’s father in Chapter 18. Do you have a picture of this character in your mind? Do you feel that you know him well? Describe him below.
Writing about your Reading
Read the first two pages of Chapter 20 that describe the blackberry kiss. Why do you suppose this memory holds so much meaning for Sal?
Have you been wondering what else there is to know about Margaret Cadaver, about the boy who comes to Phoebe’s door, about Ben, or about something else? Write your questions below, and include any theories you may have developed to answer them.
Why do you think Ben offers to read Sal’s palm? How do you think Sal feels about Ben?
Reread the middle of Chapter 22 where Phoebe lies about her mother’s business trip.
Why does Phoebe tell the other children that her mother has gone to London? How do you think Phoebe feels at this moment?
A Why do you think Phoebe keeps insisting that someone has kidnapped her mother?
How does Sal respond to Phoebe’s theory? Why do you think Sal responds the way
she does?
A Make predictions about what has happened to Phoebe’s mother. Support your
predictions with details from the story. Have a group member record the predictions
for later review.
Writer’s Craft: Adjectives and Adverbs
Using adjectives that appeal to the senses and specific adverbs, the author puts together an
image that is complete and easy to understand. Read the following passage from the book:
I faced that tree squarely and kissed it firmly. To this day I can smell the smell of
the bark—a sweet, woody smell—and feel the ridges in the bark, taste that distinctive
taste on my lips.
The author has carefully selected adjectives and adverbs that will help readers experience
what the character is experiencing. When you choose adverbs and adjectives to use in
your writing, be careful. Too many can weaken your writing by making it seem flowery
and insincere.
Take a moment to look around you. Choose something or someone to describe in your
journal. Choose only those adjectives and adverbs that say exactly what you meanWalk Two Moons
Chapters 23–27
Reading Strategy:
Identifying Confusing Parts
Although the different plot strands and
complex characters in Walk Two Moons
make the novel exciting to read, it’s possible to become confused about when and
why events have occurred. When you feel confused, mark the parts of the story that
you don’t understand. Reread the page or pages immediately before it. If you’re still
confused, look for answers in the paragraphs that follow. Making diagrams or notes may
help you get events straight in your mind as well. In your journal, note questions about
the reading so that you can discuss them with your group.
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. Choose a character from Walk Two Moons whose behavior you do not understand.
What does the character do or say that confuses you?
2. Do you think the Blackfoot story of Napi and the stones has some special meaning
for Sal? Explain.
3. Think about a time when you behaved badly because you were worried about
something. Describe what you did and why you did it. Walk Two Moons
Chapters 23–27
For Your Discussion Group
A In Walk Two Moons, the author weaves three
separate stories together: the story of Sal
traveling with her grandparents; Sal, Phoebe, and their families in Euclid; and Sal and
her parents in Bybanks. On three separate sheets of paper, draw story lines for these
stories, and mark important events on the story lines. Keep the story lines, and update
them as you read. You will need these later on. An example is shown below.
A Below each story line, write the names of the characters involved.
A Did you find interesting relationships among the stories? For instance, are there
similarities between events in the three stories? Do events in one story cause events in
other stories? Which story happens first?
Writer’s Craft: Prefixes and Suffixes
Some language in Walk Two Moons might be unfamiliar to you, such as the word
besieging in the passage below.
She did not have a chance to respond, because we were at her house, and she was
more interested in besieging her father with questions. “Any news? Did Mom come
back? Did she call?”
One way to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word is to look at its parts. Many
words include a base word and one or more prefixes and suffixes. To figure out the
meaning of besieging in the passage, look for the base word siege. What does it mean?
Next, consider the meanings of the prefix be- and suffix –ing. Do you know what
besieging means? Try using your definition in the paragraph. Does it make sense? Walk Two Moons
Chapters 28–32
Reading Strategy:
Focusing on Important Details
Reading a book without paying attention to details is like
swallowing a cookie whole without chewing it. It isn’t half
as much fun as taking the time to enjoy your treat. Authors
include details to help you get to know characters, predict what
will happen next, and connect events in the story. Some details make you scratch your
head in curiosity, while others cause you to nod in understanding.
Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons is rich in intriguing details. Pay attention to them as
you read, and think about why the author included them. Look, for example, at the
paragraph that begins at the bottom of page 177. Think about Sal’s fear of “the snaking
curves down into Lewiston, Ohio.” Why would she have heard so much about them?
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. Why do you suppose both Phoebe and Sal are upset by Longfellow’s poem,
“The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”?
2. Consider the possible reasons why Sergeant Bickle might have a picture of
Phoebe’s “lunatic” on his desk. If you were Sal, what would you think when
you saw it? What would you do?
3. Do you think Mr. Birkway should have read the journals aloud? Explain. Walk Two Moons
Chapters 28–32
For Your Discussion Group
A The fifth message read, “We never know the worth of
water until the well is dry.” What does the message
mean? How might this message apply to Phoebe’s situation?
A How does Mr. Winterbottom respond when Phoebe insists that
they talk to the police about her mother’s disappearance? How
does Sal feel about going to the police? Why do you think the two characters respond
so differently?
A Think about the phrase, “walk two moons in another man’s moccasins.” Review the
meaning of this phrase with your group. How does Sal walk in Phoebe’s moccasins?
Discuss as many specific examples as you can think of.
Writer’s Craft: Clichés
A cliché is a phrase that is used so often that it has lost some of its meaning. For
example, when a basketball player is described as “lightning fast,” we no longer think
of how fast a bolt of lightning strikes. We just think that the player is very fast. For the
most part, skilled writers avoid the use of clichés. However, there are times when it is
appropriate to use them, especially in writing fiction.
“Well, I am not fine,” Phoebe said, “and what does Mrs. Cadaver know
anyway, and besides, Mrs. Cadaver is making the whole thing up. You should let
the police talk to her. You should ask her about the rhododendron. You should find
out who this lunatic is. Mrs. Cadaver probably hired him. You should—”
“Phoebe, your imagination is running away with you.”
The author could have given Mr. Winterbottom a more original expression, such as,
“You’re trying to catch fish in the air.” However, that would seem odd coming from this
character. Phoebe’s father is the kind of person who would probably use clichés to
express himself. Look over a piece of your own writing. Have you used clichés? If so, do
they add to your writing, or take away from it?
Literature CircleWalk Two Moons
Chapters 33–39
Reading Strategy: Making Inferences
Reading wouldn’t be as much fun if authors came right
out and told you everything you needed to know. By
leaving some things unsaid, authors challenge readers to
think about what is really going on in the story. In Walk
Two Moons, Sharon Creech describes characters’ behavior, encouraging readers to infer
much more. Consider the way Sal and Ben behave at the psychiatric hospital, and what
you infer about them. Why is Ben’s mother at the psychiatric hospital? How do you
think Ben feels about his mother being there? How does he feel about Sal? Was it really
an accident that Sal went to the hospital instead of the bus stop?
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. How does Phoebe feel when her mother returns? Why do you suppose she feels
the way she does? Support your ideas with details from the story.
2. Draw a picture of Gram at the eruption of Old Faithful. Look for details in the book
that help you know what to draw. What does the behavior of Gram and Gramps at
Old Faithful tell you about these characters?
3. Write about a time when you made up your mind about someone, only to learn
later that you were completely wrong.
B. What were your predictions, questions, observationsWalk Two Moons
Chapters 33–39
For Your Discussion Group
A Review your group’s earlier predictions about
what happened to Phoebe’s mother. How accurate
were they?
A How does Phoebe’s family prepare for Mrs. Winterbottom’s return home? Discuss what
each family member does and feels as they wait for her arrival. How have their
attitudes changed since the beginning of the story?
A What do you think brought about the changes in Mrs. Winterbottom’s appearance?
Writer’s Craft: Exaggeration
So all day long, as I took in the scenery, and as I imagined us in a thousand
accidents, and as I prayed underneath it all to any tree whizzing by, I talked
about Peeby.
Would Sal really imagine a thousand accidents in one day? Would she really pray to
every tree? Of course she wouldn’t. Exaggeration is an especially useful tool in a story
told in the first person as this one is. It makes the thirteen-year-old storyteller’s voice
more believable because most people do exaggerate on occasion. If the story were told in
Phoebe’s voice, would it be appropriate to include more exaggerations or fewer? What if
Sal’s father were telling the story?
LiteratureWalk Two Moons
Chapters 40–44
Reading Strategy:
Noticing the Author’s Style
Language, plot, theme, mood, and characters all contribute
to an author’s style. Some authors use complicated sentences
and unusual words to tell their stories; others write in voices
that are easy and familiar. Some authors insert humor into
even the saddest tales; others are somber or matter-of-fact.
Some write plots with twists; others write tightly focused
stories. Some authors write endings that are cloaked with
uncertainty; others tie up loose ends so that you know what happens to every character.
Now that you have read Walk Two Moons, how would you describe the writing style of
Sharon Creech?
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. What do you notice about the characters created by Sharon Creech in Walk Two
Moons? Support your ideas with examples from the story.
2. Sal states, “In the course of a lifetime, there were some things that mattered.”
What things are important to Sal and her family? Support your ideas with details
from the story.
3. Did you enjoy the ending of Walk Two Moons? Explain why or why not.
B. What were your predictions, questions, observations, and connections as you
read? Write about one of them in your journal. Check the response youWalk Two Moons
Chapters 40–44
For Your Discussion Group
A How do Gram and Gramps feel about each other?
Give examples from the story that support your ideas.
A Why do you suppose Phoebe and Sal spit in the street?
Does this signal a change in Phoebe’s outlook? Explain.
A How does Sal change after visiting her mother’s grave?
As you look over Chapter 44, how do you think Sal feels
about the future?
Writer’s Craft: Developing a Theme
Theme is an idea that is central to a story or poem. Theme is not the same thing as
subject. The subject of a story might be a fishing trip. One of the themes of the same
story might be the awesome power of nature. Authors use characters, events, setting,
imagery, and language to develop theme. For example, an author might develop the
power of nature theme by beginning the story with a description of a storm. An author
may develop several themes in one story, although a central theme may be given more
importance.
In the following passage from Walk Two Moons, Sal has finally seen her mother’s grave.
In the midst of the still morning, with only the sound of the river gurgling by,
I heard a bird. It was singing a birdsong, a true, sweet birdsong. I looked all around
and then up into the willow that leaned toward the river. The birdsong came from
the top of the willow and I did not want to look too closely, because I wanted it to
be the tree that was singing.
I kissed the willow. “Happy birthday,” I said.
What theme or themes do you think the author develops with this graveside description? Walk Two Moons
After Reading
A journey takes you from one place to another. Very often, a person taking a journey
makes important discoveries, either along the way or upon arrival. In literature, journeys
are about those discoveries more than they are about traveling. In fact, in literature,
some journeys don’t involve going anywhere at all. If a character goes through a long
and difficult series of events leading to self-discovery, this, too, is called a journey.
A Think about a journey that you have made. It may be a literal journey (one that
involved actual travel from one place to another), or it may be a journey of discovery.
Describe your experience and what you learned from it in your journal.
A Take out the story lines that your group wrote earlier for Walk Two Moons. If these
have not been completed, do it now.
A Brainstorm with group members to identify the main goals or conflicts of characters in
each story line. Record these goals and conflicts, either below story lines or on
separate sheets of paper. How was each goal or conflict resolved?
A Put a star next to the climax, or most suspenseful point, on each story line. Draw
arrows next to other important turning points on your story lines.
A What important discoveries were made by Sal, Phoebe, Mrs. Winterbottom, Mr.
Winterbottom, and other characters in Walk Two Moons?
Chapters 1–6
Reading Strategy:
Comparing and Contrasting
Sharon Creech’s characters in Walk Two Moons are puzzling, layered with conflicting attitudes and character traits. To understand complex characters, it sometimes helps to think about them in relation to each other. For instance, compare what you know so far about Sal’s parents and Phoebe’s parents. How are they alike? How are they different? Are some of their experiences similar? Are their lives vastly different?
Write about these topics below in complete sentences.
Make a two-column chart, title one column Sal and the other column Phoebe. Write at least two events and character traits in the columns that show how Phoebe and Sal are similar and how they are different.
2. In some cultures, a young person chooses or is given a name that represents some aspect of who he or she is. If you could choose your own name now, what name would you chose? Explain the reasons for your choice.
In Chapter 2, Sal states her belief that if there were any chance to bring her mother home, it would occur on her mother’s birthday. Then Sal says, “My father says I lean on broken reeds and will get a face full of swamp mud one day.” What does this expression mean to you?
In what ways are Mrs. Winterbottom and Sal’s mother similar? In what ways are they different? Support your ideas with examples from the story.
In Chapter 6, the author describes mealtime at Phoebe’s home and writes briefly about a breakfast at Sal’s house. How are the two experiences different? How are character names important in Walk Two Moons?
Writer’s Craft: Foreshadowing
Hints about coming events are buried throughout Sharon Creech’s novel. The reason that Phoebe’s story reminds me of that plaster wall and the hidden fireplace is that beneath Phoebe’s story was another one. Mine. Such hints create mystery, sharpening readers’ interest. These hints are called foreshadowing. Look for other examples of foreshadowing in Chapters 1 through 6. How did you respond to these examples? What did you think when you read them?
Chapters 7–11
Reading Strategy: Making Predictions
Walk Two Moons has a plot that is full of mystery and foreshadowing. There is much to wonder about, and many clues that hint at future developments. Look for these clues as you read and note them in your journal. Use them to help you predict how things will turn out for the characters. As the story develops, re-examine your predictions and adjust them to include new information. For example, what do you think the notes mean? Who could be leaving them on Phoebe’s doorstep, and why?
Write about Making Predictions
Who might the young man who appears at Phoebe’s doorstep be? Predict why he is looking for Mrs. Winterbottom and why he is so interested in Phoebe.
Do Sal’s grandparents remind you of someone you know? Who is it, and what do they have in common with Gramps and Gram?
Have you ever believed you’d been left behind, as Sal did when Gram went to join the dancers? Describe your experience.
Why do you suppose Sal’s mother is in Idaho? Why is it important for Sal to get there by her mother’s birthday?
Sal feels that the Winterbottoms are “thumpingly stiff.” Phoebe warns her that the Finneys are not as “civilized” as her own family is. Give examples of uncivilized and stiff behavior in these households. How do Phoebe and Sal feel about it? If you had to spend a week with the Finneys, the Winterbottoms, or Sal’s family, which would you choose?
Sal says that the wind, the clouds, and the trees whisper, “Rush, rush, rush” and “Hurry, hurry.” What do you think she means by this? Does she really hear voices whispering to her?
Writer’s Craft: Similes
Authors sometimes make unexpected comparisons between characters or events in order to help readers understand them in a new way. When the comparison includes like or as, it is called a simile. Read the simile below from Chapter 10. ”Being a mother is like trying to hold a wolf by the ears,” Gram said. What do you think the author wanted you to understand about motherhood? Write your ideas in your journal. By having Gram make the comparison, the author also tells you something about the character. How would your impression of Gram be different if she had said, “Being a mother is like trying to dance on the deck of a rolling ship”?
Chapters 12–17
Reading Strategy: Drawing Conclusions
The story has become quite complicated. It involves a number of interesting characters, each with his or her own problems and goals. The author has provided enough information for readers to begin drawing conclusions about characters and the challenges they face. Use all that you now know to help you figure out some of the puzzles in Walk Two Moons. For example, why are Phoebe and her sister unable to see their mother’s unhappiness? How does this cause Mrs. Winterbottom to feel?
Writing about Drawing Conclusions
Reread Chapter 15, in which Gram is bitten by a snake. Draw conclusions about Gramps’s character based on events in this chapter. How would you have described Gramps before reading this chapter? Does his behavior in Chapter 15 change your opinion of him? Explain.
At the end of Chapter 16, Sal’s whispers stop telling her to rush and instead warn her to slow down. What might the whispers be warning her about?
Should Sal and her grandparents continue on their journey? If you could send Sal a postcard with a few sentences of advice or comfort, what would you write?
How would you describe the relationship between Mrs. Cadaver and Sal’s father? What’s the real reason that Sal doesn’t like Mrs. Cadaver?
Suppose you could leave a message on the Winterbottoms’ front step. What would you write?
Writer’s Craft: Aphorisms
An aphorism is a brief statement of an observation about life. As the following example shows, aphorisms are sometimes funny: Sometimes you’re the flyswatter, and sometimes you’re the fly. The aphorisms in Walk Two Moons tell us as much about the characters and their situations as they do about life. For example, when Mrs. Winterbottom tells Phoebe, “You can never be too careful,” it illustrates the fearfulness that is a symptom of her own unhappiness. When Phoebe finds a note that reads, “Everyone has his own agenda,” readers think of the insensitivity that Mr. Winterbottom and his daughters show to Mrs. Winterbottom. What observations can you make about life? Create a few aphorisms of your own, and write about them below.
Chapters 18–22
Reading Strategy: Adjusting Your Reading Speed
As the action in a story speeds up, it is tempting to read faster. You may feel an urgent need to find out what will happen next. This is a good time, however, to slow your reading speed. As exciting things occur, one right after another, it is easy to miss important details that may explain future events. Slowing your reading speed will not only help you avoid confusion later; it will also allow you to enjoy Sharon Creech’s unique writing style. Slowly read the description of Sal’s father in Chapter 18. Do you have a picture of this character in your mind? Do you feel that you know him well? Describe him below.
Writing about your Reading
Read the first two pages of Chapter 20 that describe the blackberry kiss. Why do you suppose this memory holds so much meaning for Sal?
Have you been wondering what else there is to know about Margaret Cadaver, about the boy who comes to Phoebe’s door, about Ben, or about something else? Write your questions below, and include any theories you may have developed to answer them.
Why do you think Ben offers to read Sal’s palm? How do you think Sal feels about Ben?
Reread the middle of Chapter 22 where Phoebe lies about her mother’s business trip.
Why does Phoebe tell the other children that her mother has gone to London? How do you think Phoebe feels at this moment?
A Why do you think Phoebe keeps insisting that someone has kidnapped her mother?
How does Sal respond to Phoebe’s theory? Why do you think Sal responds the way
she does?
A Make predictions about what has happened to Phoebe’s mother. Support your
predictions with details from the story. Have a group member record the predictions
for later review.
Writer’s Craft: Adjectives and Adverbs
Using adjectives that appeal to the senses and specific adverbs, the author puts together an
image that is complete and easy to understand. Read the following passage from the book:
I faced that tree squarely and kissed it firmly. To this day I can smell the smell of
the bark—a sweet, woody smell—and feel the ridges in the bark, taste that distinctive
taste on my lips.
The author has carefully selected adjectives and adverbs that will help readers experience
what the character is experiencing. When you choose adverbs and adjectives to use in
your writing, be careful. Too many can weaken your writing by making it seem flowery
and insincere.
Take a moment to look around you. Choose something or someone to describe in your
journal. Choose only those adjectives and adverbs that say exactly what you meanWalk Two Moons
Chapters 23–27
Reading Strategy:
Identifying Confusing Parts
Although the different plot strands and
complex characters in Walk Two Moons
make the novel exciting to read, it’s possible to become confused about when and
why events have occurred. When you feel confused, mark the parts of the story that
you don’t understand. Reread the page or pages immediately before it. If you’re still
confused, look for answers in the paragraphs that follow. Making diagrams or notes may
help you get events straight in your mind as well. In your journal, note questions about
the reading so that you can discuss them with your group.
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. Choose a character from Walk Two Moons whose behavior you do not understand.
What does the character do or say that confuses you?
2. Do you think the Blackfoot story of Napi and the stones has some special meaning
for Sal? Explain.
3. Think about a time when you behaved badly because you were worried about
something. Describe what you did and why you did it. Walk Two Moons
Chapters 23–27
For Your Discussion Group
A In Walk Two Moons, the author weaves three
separate stories together: the story of Sal
traveling with her grandparents; Sal, Phoebe, and their families in Euclid; and Sal and
her parents in Bybanks. On three separate sheets of paper, draw story lines for these
stories, and mark important events on the story lines. Keep the story lines, and update
them as you read. You will need these later on. An example is shown below.
A Below each story line, write the names of the characters involved.
A Did you find interesting relationships among the stories? For instance, are there
similarities between events in the three stories? Do events in one story cause events in
other stories? Which story happens first?
Writer’s Craft: Prefixes and Suffixes
Some language in Walk Two Moons might be unfamiliar to you, such as the word
besieging in the passage below.
She did not have a chance to respond, because we were at her house, and she was
more interested in besieging her father with questions. “Any news? Did Mom come
back? Did she call?”
One way to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word is to look at its parts. Many
words include a base word and one or more prefixes and suffixes. To figure out the
meaning of besieging in the passage, look for the base word siege. What does it mean?
Next, consider the meanings of the prefix be- and suffix –ing. Do you know what
besieging means? Try using your definition in the paragraph. Does it make sense? Walk Two Moons
Chapters 28–32
Reading Strategy:
Focusing on Important Details
Reading a book without paying attention to details is like
swallowing a cookie whole without chewing it. It isn’t half
as much fun as taking the time to enjoy your treat. Authors
include details to help you get to know characters, predict what
will happen next, and connect events in the story. Some details make you scratch your
head in curiosity, while others cause you to nod in understanding.
Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons is rich in intriguing details. Pay attention to them as
you read, and think about why the author included them. Look, for example, at the
paragraph that begins at the bottom of page 177. Think about Sal’s fear of “the snaking
curves down into Lewiston, Ohio.” Why would she have heard so much about them?
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. Why do you suppose both Phoebe and Sal are upset by Longfellow’s poem,
“The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls”?
2. Consider the possible reasons why Sergeant Bickle might have a picture of
Phoebe’s “lunatic” on his desk. If you were Sal, what would you think when
you saw it? What would you do?
3. Do you think Mr. Birkway should have read the journals aloud? Explain. Walk Two Moons
Chapters 28–32
For Your Discussion Group
A The fifth message read, “We never know the worth of
water until the well is dry.” What does the message
mean? How might this message apply to Phoebe’s situation?
A How does Mr. Winterbottom respond when Phoebe insists that
they talk to the police about her mother’s disappearance? How
does Sal feel about going to the police? Why do you think the two characters respond
so differently?
A Think about the phrase, “walk two moons in another man’s moccasins.” Review the
meaning of this phrase with your group. How does Sal walk in Phoebe’s moccasins?
Discuss as many specific examples as you can think of.
Writer’s Craft: Clichés
A cliché is a phrase that is used so often that it has lost some of its meaning. For
example, when a basketball player is described as “lightning fast,” we no longer think
of how fast a bolt of lightning strikes. We just think that the player is very fast. For the
most part, skilled writers avoid the use of clichés. However, there are times when it is
appropriate to use them, especially in writing fiction.
“Well, I am not fine,” Phoebe said, “and what does Mrs. Cadaver know
anyway, and besides, Mrs. Cadaver is making the whole thing up. You should let
the police talk to her. You should ask her about the rhododendron. You should find
out who this lunatic is. Mrs. Cadaver probably hired him. You should—”
“Phoebe, your imagination is running away with you.”
The author could have given Mr. Winterbottom a more original expression, such as,
“You’re trying to catch fish in the air.” However, that would seem odd coming from this
character. Phoebe’s father is the kind of person who would probably use clichés to
express himself. Look over a piece of your own writing. Have you used clichés? If so, do
they add to your writing, or take away from it?
Literature CircleWalk Two Moons
Chapters 33–39
Reading Strategy: Making Inferences
Reading wouldn’t be as much fun if authors came right
out and told you everything you needed to know. By
leaving some things unsaid, authors challenge readers to
think about what is really going on in the story. In Walk
Two Moons, Sharon Creech describes characters’ behavior, encouraging readers to infer
much more. Consider the way Sal and Ben behave at the psychiatric hospital, and what
you infer about them. Why is Ben’s mother at the psychiatric hospital? How do you
think Ben feels about his mother being there? How does he feel about Sal? Was it really
an accident that Sal went to the hospital instead of the bus stop?
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. How does Phoebe feel when her mother returns? Why do you suppose she feels
the way she does? Support your ideas with details from the story.
2. Draw a picture of Gram at the eruption of Old Faithful. Look for details in the book
that help you know what to draw. What does the behavior of Gram and Gramps at
Old Faithful tell you about these characters?
3. Write about a time when you made up your mind about someone, only to learn
later that you were completely wrong.
B. What were your predictions, questions, observationsWalk Two Moons
Chapters 33–39
For Your Discussion Group
A Review your group’s earlier predictions about
what happened to Phoebe’s mother. How accurate
were they?
A How does Phoebe’s family prepare for Mrs. Winterbottom’s return home? Discuss what
each family member does and feels as they wait for her arrival. How have their
attitudes changed since the beginning of the story?
A What do you think brought about the changes in Mrs. Winterbottom’s appearance?
Writer’s Craft: Exaggeration
So all day long, as I took in the scenery, and as I imagined us in a thousand
accidents, and as I prayed underneath it all to any tree whizzing by, I talked
about Peeby.
Would Sal really imagine a thousand accidents in one day? Would she really pray to
every tree? Of course she wouldn’t. Exaggeration is an especially useful tool in a story
told in the first person as this one is. It makes the thirteen-year-old storyteller’s voice
more believable because most people do exaggerate on occasion. If the story were told in
Phoebe’s voice, would it be appropriate to include more exaggerations or fewer? What if
Sal’s father were telling the story?
LiteratureWalk Two Moons
Chapters 40–44
Reading Strategy:
Noticing the Author’s Style
Language, plot, theme, mood, and characters all contribute
to an author’s style. Some authors use complicated sentences
and unusual words to tell their stories; others write in voices
that are easy and familiar. Some authors insert humor into
even the saddest tales; others are somber or matter-of-fact.
Some write plots with twists; others write tightly focused
stories. Some authors write endings that are cloaked with
uncertainty; others tie up loose ends so that you know what happens to every character.
Now that you have read Walk Two Moons, how would you describe the writing style of
Sharon Creech?
Writing in Your Literature Response Journal
A.Write about one of these topics in your journal. Circle the topic you chose.
1. What do you notice about the characters created by Sharon Creech in Walk Two
Moons? Support your ideas with examples from the story.
2. Sal states, “In the course of a lifetime, there were some things that mattered.”
What things are important to Sal and her family? Support your ideas with details
from the story.
3. Did you enjoy the ending of Walk Two Moons? Explain why or why not.
B. What were your predictions, questions, observations, and connections as you
read? Write about one of them in your journal. Check the response youWalk Two Moons
Chapters 40–44
For Your Discussion Group
A How do Gram and Gramps feel about each other?
Give examples from the story that support your ideas.
A Why do you suppose Phoebe and Sal spit in the street?
Does this signal a change in Phoebe’s outlook? Explain.
A How does Sal change after visiting her mother’s grave?
As you look over Chapter 44, how do you think Sal feels
about the future?
Writer’s Craft: Developing a Theme
Theme is an idea that is central to a story or poem. Theme is not the same thing as
subject. The subject of a story might be a fishing trip. One of the themes of the same
story might be the awesome power of nature. Authors use characters, events, setting,
imagery, and language to develop theme. For example, an author might develop the
power of nature theme by beginning the story with a description of a storm. An author
may develop several themes in one story, although a central theme may be given more
importance.
In the following passage from Walk Two Moons, Sal has finally seen her mother’s grave.
In the midst of the still morning, with only the sound of the river gurgling by,
I heard a bird. It was singing a birdsong, a true, sweet birdsong. I looked all around
and then up into the willow that leaned toward the river. The birdsong came from
the top of the willow and I did not want to look too closely, because I wanted it to
be the tree that was singing.
I kissed the willow. “Happy birthday,” I said.
What theme or themes do you think the author develops with this graveside description? Walk Two Moons
After Reading
A journey takes you from one place to another. Very often, a person taking a journey
makes important discoveries, either along the way or upon arrival. In literature, journeys
are about those discoveries more than they are about traveling. In fact, in literature,
some journeys don’t involve going anywhere at all. If a character goes through a long
and difficult series of events leading to self-discovery, this, too, is called a journey.
A Think about a journey that you have made. It may be a literal journey (one that
involved actual travel from one place to another), or it may be a journey of discovery.
Describe your experience and what you learned from it in your journal.
A Take out the story lines that your group wrote earlier for Walk Two Moons. If these
have not been completed, do it now.
A Brainstorm with group members to identify the main goals or conflicts of characters in
each story line. Record these goals and conflicts, either below story lines or on
separate sheets of paper. How was each goal or conflict resolved?
A Put a star next to the climax, or most suspenseful point, on each story line. Draw
arrows next to other important turning points on your story lines.
A What important discoveries were made by Sal, Phoebe, Mrs. Winterbottom, Mr.
Winterbottom, and other characters in Walk Two Moons?