Selection: G-4

G-4

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1872 words

Author: Mike Buchanan and Diane Lang

Synopsis: A teenager learns to view her life in a new light.

Excerpt: Olivia peered into her closet for something different to wear. She searched for an outfit that would make her less visible and selected a plain white tee shirt and blue, straight-legged jeans.

"Well," her mother said at breakfast, "I like the new look."

"I made a decision to change my appearance, big deal."

Question: The author mentions that Olivia changed her style of dress to show that she

1. did not want to stand out and become a target for mean comments.
2. wanted her mother to like the way she was dressing for school.
3. did not care what her friends thought about her clothes.
4. needed her mother to realize that her clothes were outdated.

Selection: G-5

G-5

Grade level: 7

Word count: 1647 words

Author: Mary R. Dunn

Synopsis: A boy gets pulled into the chaos of a historic workers' strike.

Excerpt: "Stay on that barge and go back where you came from!" another mill worker shouted. "Let us settle this with Mr. Frick who thinks he can withhold our pay and replace us with cheaper labor. Turn your boats around and head for safety if you know what is good for you."

Question: How does the author convince the reader that the steel workers' demands were reasonable?

1. She mentions the injustices experienced by the workers.
2. She shows that the union members are stronger than the Pinkertons.
3. She explains how unions were formed to make workers rich.
4. She describes the failures of the Industrial Revolution.