Chapter 10 The Corner of Portal Ave: The Broom Dog (pgs 173-188)

~ Read by Euclid HS Principal Mr. Corey Russell

Discussion Questions

1. What causes Canton's anxiety? Mr. Munch said his wife was "sick with fear" when their daughter went away to college. How does anxiety make someone "sick with fear?"

2. Even though this book is a series of short stories, how are they all connected as one large story?

3. How has the walk home that day been so many different things to so many different characters?

Activity:

Literally a Figurative Master - Jason Reynolds is a master of figurative language. For example, "With the dryer whirring in Pia's ears, it sounded like the two women were whispering in a tornado," (p.53), and "Gregory's hands started shaking, the paper vibrating like dry leaves in the wind," (p.169). Find 2 more examples of creative descriptions throughout the book and what page you found them on. We will compile a class list.

Then answer these questions: How does Reynold's use of poetic language affect the story? Why does he include such poetic language in his prose writing? What does it accomplish?