VOCABULARY

1. p.28 Cherry bombs- a firework commonly red in color with a green fuse, and approximately 18 inch in diameter (banned by federal law in the US).

2. p.28 Edgy- tense, nervous, irritable

3. p.28 Swills- drinks

4. p.29 Millpond- the pool that is created by a milldam and provides the head of water that powers a water mill.

5. p.29 Juvy Court- a juvenile court that deals with minors that have committed a crime.

6. p.31 Cretin- a dumb person

7. p.32-33 Magnesium, Potassium chlorate, Potassium nitrate, Sulphur , Aluminum, Copper, strontium nitrate= chemicals and elements

8. p. 33 Combusting- be consumed by fire

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Max gets to go to the fireworks this year without Grim and Gram for the first time.

2. How does Max get the idea to carry Kevin around on his shoulders?

3. What is it about the fireworks that causes Kevin to start calling out the names of all those chemical elements and compounds?

What type of figurative language is used ?

• .." about a million people show up to watch the rockets.."

• ...."Frankenstein and Igor"

• ...."Andre the Giant"

• .." I was giving him lip.."

• .."fireworks explore like hot pink flowers in the sky..."

Written Question

• “Hey you! Mutt and Jeff! Frankenstein and Igor! Don’t look around, I’m talkin’ to you, boneheads. What is this, a freak show?” What do you think Tony D. was trying to prove by talking like this?

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