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Welcome to
SEPTEMBER 2014
Nonfiction
4 The Volcano That
Changed the World
by Lauren Tarshis These animals look adorable. But don’t be
Paired Texts fooled—they’re very dangerous! Find out more
10 Talen’s Got Talent! about them as you help Grammar Cop correct
by Jane Bianchi some deadly capitalization errors.
Fiction
15 Silverman City WHAT TO DO:
by Jenny Nimmo 1. Read each animal’s important rule about capitalization.
Poetry 2. Use each animal’s rule to help you fix the errors in its
21 A Punctuation Story description.
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Play
22 Pandora’s Box
by Jennifer Dignan
Debate
28 Should Parents Help Kids
With Homework?
Infographic
32 Your Very Own Pet Rat!
Plus:
2 Grammar Cop
14 Create a Character Contest
Wendy Mass!
30 Vocab Lab One Word, 3 Ways;
Word Nerd
MY RULE
Cover illustration by Susan Farrington
Capitalize names
of places and
WRITE TO US! adjectives made
(Name of contest or department)
c/o Storyworks from them—like
P.O. Box 712 America and
New York, NY 10013-0712
Or e-mail contest entries to:
American.
[email protected] Slow Loris
(Please put contest name in subject line.)
Students, remember to include your other asian countries. It looks sweet and cuddly. But if
1) name and age
2) teacher’s name it’s threatened, it’ll release a fluid from a gland in its arm.
3) school’s name It licks the fluid, which mixes with saliva to make its bite
4) school’s address
5) school’s phone number poisonous. Yeesh! You’ll want to run to antarctica!
2 S T O R Y W O R K S
mmar Cop CAPITA
L
WORDSIZE
CORRE
CTLY
Polar Bear
Polar bears might seem
lovable in books like the
golden compass. They
might wow you in national
geographic. But in a few
years, this cute cub will
stand more than 8 feet
tall and will have paws as
guinness world
records. MY RULE
Capitalize the
first, last, and
other important
words in a title.
MY RULE
The first word
inside quotation
marks should be
capitalized.
“yikes!”
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 3
Nonfiction
UP
Cause and Effect
CLOSE As you read this article,
look for the many effects
caused by the eruption
of one volcano.
That
Two hundred years ago,
an unknown volcano caused
death and destruction around
the world BY LAUREN TARSHIS
4 S T O R Y W O R K S
Changed the World
T
en-year-old John Hoisington stared in shock
out the window of his family’s Vermont
farmhouse. It was June 8, 1816. Summer
was just two weeks away. Yet outside, a wild
ARLAN NAEG/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/NEWSCOM
Nearly a foot of snow covered the fields the family had planted only
weeks before. The family’s vegetable garden was buried. The apple and pear
trees shivered in the freezing wind, their delicate buds coated with ice.
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 5
Like most people in 1816, the Hoisingtons A Ruined Land
grew almost everything they ate. Practically Mount Tambora sits on the island of
every bite of the family’s food came from the Sumbawa, which today is part of the nation
farm, from the corn in their morning porridge of Indonesia. In 1815, perhaps 50,000 people
to the chicken and potatoes in the supper-time lived on Sumbawa, a beautiful land of rushing
stew. John saw the look of fear in his father’s streams, gentle hills, and thick jungles. Looming
eyes as they watched the snow swirling outside. over the northern side of the island was Mount
This storm would kill all of their crops. There Tambora, a quiet mountain dotted with villages
would be little food for the family or their and rice farms. Nobody had any reason to
animals.
How would
they survive?
What John
and his family
didn’t know was
that during that
strange summer
of 1816, similar
weather disasters
were unfolding
throughout
New England—
MOUNT VESUVIUS IN ERUPTION, 1817 (W/C ON PAPER), TURNER, JOSEPH MALLORD WILLIAM (1775-1851) / YALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART, PAUL MELLON COLLECTION,
USA / THE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY (TOP); DEAGOSTINI/DEA PICTURE LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES (BOTTOM LEFT); UNIVERSAL/THE KOBAL COLLECTION (BOTTOM RIGHT)
and the world.
Snow destroyed
thousands of
other East Coast
farms, from
Virginia up to Above: Many European painters unknowingly captured
Tambora’s effects. This painting, by J. M. W. Turner, is
Maine. Snowstorms and floods struck France, of Mount Vesuvius. But experts believe that the color
England, Ireland, and Switzerland. There were of the sky was inspired by what Turner must have seen
droughts and floods in India and killing frosts over England in the years after Tambora’s eruption.
across northern China.
At the time, people struggled to understand
what had caused the weather to change so
wildly. Were witches to blame?
It is only now, nearly 200 years later, that
scientists have finally solved the mystery. Very
likely John Hoisington and his family would
have been astonished to learn the truth: The The book Frankenstein
was partly inspired by
cause of their family’s suffering was an event Tambora. Author Mary
that took place a year earlier and 10,000 miles Shelley (above) wrote
away from their farm. the novel in stormy
Switzerland during the
It all started with a volcano called Mount endless gloom of the
Tambora. summer of 1816.
6 S T O R Y W O R K S
The Eruption Felt Around the World
From India to the Arctic, Tambora’s volcanic cloud caused misery
Europe
Ireland (crop failures,
major famine),
England (massive
rains, flooding, crop
failures), Switzerland
Arctic Region (crop failures, rain)
Temporary warming
caused melting of sea U.S.
ice. British explorers
mistakenly believed the China
melting was permanent, (Yunnan
and many were later Province)
trapped by refrozen Climate change
ice. caused
INDONESIA famine.
New England
(Massachusetts
up to Maine) Mt.Tambora
Ohio Valley Snow in the
and today’s summer of 1816
Indiana resulted in crop India
Migration of New failures. (areas around Bay
England farmers led of Bengal)
to huge population A major outbreak of
growth in these cholera was caused
areas, and statehood by an irregular
for Indiana. monsoon season.
suspect that the peaceful mountain was in fact a wave of flames and gases swept down the
a volcano, that underneath its velvety green mountain at speeds of 400 miles per hour.
slopes were snaking tunnels filled with lava and This pyroclastic surge devastated everything
explosive gases. Like many volcanoes, Tambora in its path.
looked like an ordinary mountain and had been
dormant—quiet––for centuries. But on April 5, Ignored and Forgotten
1815, Tambora woke up. The eruption instantly killed at least 12,000
The first eruption shook the island and sent people living on and around Mount Tambora.
up great plumes of fire and ash. But that was Ash and lava ruined the island’s soil and
nothing compared with what would come five poisoned its rivers and streams. Rice paddies
days later, on April 10. were destroyed. No fruits or vegetables would
Kaboom! grow. There were no fish to catch; almost every
The volcano exploded with terrible fury, animal had been killed. Trapped without food
spewing out great towers of fire. A tremendous on their ruined lands, more than 90,000 people
cloud of gas and ash shot high into the sky. The on Sumbawa and the nearby island of Lombok
day turned midnight black, but the mountain slowly starved to death.
MAP: JIM MCMAHON/MAPMANTM
glowed red as rivers of lava gushed down the The eruption of Tambora in 1815 was the
slopes. The eruption went on for more than most deadly and powerful volcanic eruption
three days, a deadly storm of fire, gas, ash, and in human history. Its explosive energy was 10
rock. In the eruption’s terrifying final stage, times stronger than that of Krakatoa, history’s
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 7
Comparing Volcanoes
Scientists measure the power of volcanic
eruptions on a scale of 0-8, with 8 being Vesuvius Tambora
Italy Indonesia
the most powerful and 0 being the least
79 A.D. 1815
powerful. Here is how some major
eruptions rated.
Paris, mobs of people broke into warehouses rose into the sky. Most volcanic clouds quickly
where grain was stored, risking their lives to dissipate—break apart and fade away. But in a
steal sacks of flour. In China, starving families very powerful eruption, the cloud rises so high
could no longer feed their children. Floods in that it mixes with water and other gases in the
India triggered an outbreak of a disease called stratosphere. It turns into a foam and remains
cholera, which killed millions. high in the sky. Scientists observed Pinatubo’s
8 S T O R Y W O R K S
Mt.
Krakatoa Pinatubo
St. Helens
Indonesia Philippines
USA
1883 1991
1980
WRITE TO WIN
FIKRIA HIDAYAT/KOMPAS IMAGES/AP PHOTO
Imagine you could send a letter through time, explaining to the Hoisingtons
what caused the strange weather of 1816. In your letter, tell them
how Tambora affected people around the world. Send it to
“Tambora Contest” by October 15. Ten winners will each receive FIND AN
a copy of Eruption! by Elizabeth Rusch. See page 2 for details. ACTIVITY
ONLINE!
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 9
Paired Texts
How one
boy copes
with
stuttering—
Talen’s and steals
the show
Talent
Got BY JANE BIANCHI
A Puzzling Problem
The causes of stuttering are not well
throwing his arms into the air, and smiling understood. Many experts think stuttering is
at the crowd with a proud twinkle in his eye. likely inherited. They believe some people are
When the song ends, he knows—and the born with a tendency to develop stuttering.
ALL IMAGES: HEATHER WESTON PHOTOGRAPHS
audience knows—that he just totally rocked The source of the problem probably lies in the
it. He grabs the microphone and introduces part of the brain that controls language.
himself with ease: “Hi, I’m Talen.” Most people who stutter are no different
Not long ago, if you had asked Talen to from you. Visit Talen in his Brooklyn, New
perform on stage, he’d have looked at you as York, apartment and you’ll find him watching
if you’d asked him to sprout wings and fly to Spider-Man movies, making clay sculptures,
10 S T O R Y W O R K S
Talen rehearses
his showstopping
moves (left).
Performing has
boosted his
confidence on
and off the stage.
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 11
By first grade, the problem Famous productions. In 2001, at age 29, he
bothered him so much that he rarely Stutterers created SAY. “I wanted to show kids
spoke in class for fear he would be Stuttering that stuttering doesn’t have to hold
humiliated. “I didn’t raise my hand didn’t limit the them back from anything,” he says.
success of:
a lot in class. If a teacher asked for a Since performing helped him so
volunteer, I’d duck,” says Talen. much, he thought it would be a great
way to engage kids and boost their
A Big Change confidence. “The amazing thing about
Sometimes people grow impatient the arts is that it’s a perfect way to
Tiger Woods
when Talen speaks and say, “Spit it help people express how they feel. It
out,” or they finish his sentences for helps kids come out of their shells in a
him. But that puts pressure on him, brilliant way,” says Alexander.
and speaking becomes even more
challenging. (Talen’s advice: The Emily Blunt
No Longer Alone
best thing a listener can do is wait Talen goes to SAY for about two
patiently for a person who stutters to hours each week. “I like to dance,”
finish.) It’s also tough for him to make says Talen. “It brings out the inner
TOP TO BOTTOM: SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES; ©2013 TAYLOR HILL/FILMMAGIC/GETTY IMAGES; POPPERFOTO/GETTY IMAGES; WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY IMAGES; HEATHER WESTON PHOTOGRAPHS
friends at school because some kids me.” Singing? Not so much. “I don’t
find it easier to avoid Talen than to have a good voice. I want to use
talk to him. Auto-Tune,” he jokes. Each spring, all
King George VI
But Talen’s life began to change the kids in SAY perform onstage in
two years ago, when he joined SAY: front of hundreds of parents and other
the Stuttering Association for the supporters of the organization.
Young. The group teaches kids who Going to SAY hasn’t solved
stutter how to sing, dance, act, and Talen’s stuttering problem. But it has
recite speeches. The goal is to build Joe Biden helped him feel less self-conscious.
kids’ confidence. “We have so much Plus, he’s made friends. Before joining
fun,” says Talen. SAY, he knew only two people who
The founder and president of SAY, Taro stuttered. Now he has met more than 170,
Alexander, relates to what Talen has gone which makes him feel less alone.
through, because he also started stuttering at The program has helped Talen at school
age 5. “I spent a lot of my too, since speaking in
life feeling like that kid on Talen gets advice class is nothing compared
from SAY founder
the sidelines and wanting with talking in front of
Taro Alexander.
really badly to get into the hundreds of people. He’s
game, but not having the getting better grades, and
courage to jump in because his teachers have noticed
of fear of being made fun of that he speaks up more.
or teased,” says Alexander. “I’m less afraid to raise my
He gained confidence hand in class now,” says
by becoming a professional Talen. “Sometimes I stutter
actor at age 19 and and sometimes I don’t, but
performing on TV shows I don’t care anymore. I feel
and in musical theater like a new person.”
12 S T O R Y W O R K S
INFORMATIONAL TEXT
W
hat could be easier simple. But just uttering tongue, lips, jaw, and teeth
than talking? three little words like “Hey, makes this happen. The
We chat with what’s up?” is a complicated whole amazing production is
our friends, whisper our trick. controlled by your brain.
secrets, scream at our little Speech is so complex
brothers, and cheer for our A Mysterious Process that scientists have struggled
favorite teams. By the end of Many parts of your body to understand how it works.
life, the average person will have to work together when It’s been difficult to find
have uttered approximately you talk. First, your lungs cures for speech disorders,
370 million words. like stuttering. But
But the ability to in recent years,
speak—to express scientists have made
thoughts and feelings breakthroughs. In
through different 2013, scientists at the
sounds—is a complex University of California,
human skill. San Francisco,
Elephants can’t talk, but they pinpointed the parts of
Key to Survival can communicate “I love you” the brain that control
All living creatures by entwining their trunks. some portions of the
can communicate in speech process.
some way. Cobras fan out exhale air across your larynx, Soon enough, experts
their hoods to warn their or voice box, which is in your agree, the amazing power
enemies. Fireflies set their throat. Inside your larynx of speech will no longer be
tails aglow to attract mates. are your vocal chords, two such a mystery. n
Sea lion mothers bellow rubbery folds that vibrate in
to call their babies home. the rush of air. These chords Look out!
From mighty mammals to produce the sound of your Gorillas
stick
tiny insects, being able to voice, which the voice box out their
communicate in some way is makes louder. tongues
a key to survival. And that’s just the to tell you
But communicating is they’re
different from speaking. mad.
Only humans have the to be broken up into
ability to speak. different sounds. A
Speaking might seem team effort by your
SHEET
write an article for the school newspaper to help your classmates ONLINE!
understand the challenges he faces and how they can be helpful.
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 13
Creative Writing
14 S T O R Y W O R K S
Silverman
City
Can anyone save
Danny Sanchez
from the town’s
meanest bully?
BY JENNY NIMMO
ART BY JOHN UELAND
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 15
UP
CLOSE
I
n the hills above Silverman City, there’s a small white house with sparkling
¶
FIGURATIVE
windows and a door so blue it looks like a piece of sky. On top of the house,
something spins in the sunlight; it’s so bright you can see it for miles.
LANGUAGE Not so long ago, the house was almost a ruin. The roof leaked, the paint
What feeling was peeling, and most of the windows were cracked.
does this Danny Sanchez lived in the old house with his widowed mother. As a
comparison—
matter of fact, he still lives there. Every weekday, he walks down the steep road to
called a simile
—create? the bus stop at the edge of the city. And he’s always smiling.
There was a time when Danny hardly ever smiled. As he walked to the bus stop,
he would glance anxiously behind him, dreading the moment when Aaron Atkins
appeared.
Aaron was a year older than Danny. He had thick, red hair and a freckled face,
and he was always followed by his gang: Ned and Mickey Le Bon. When Aaron
called, “Hi there, skinny Sanchez, what have you got for me today?” his gang would
pull Danny’s backpack away and take out his lunch, his books, and his can of Coke.
They would throw the books in the road and give the food to Aaron. If Danny
tried to stop them, Aaron would trip him, and he’d fall on the sidewalk, grazing his
hands and knees.
Danny never told his mother. She had enough to worry about. She worked all
day, cooking and cleaning for other people, and when Danny came home she was
often fast asleep.
O
n the first day of fifth grade, when Danny looked over his shoulder in the
usual nervous way, he didn’t see Aaron Atkins, but he did see a girl with dark
curly hair and a young man walking behind her.
“Hi!” said the girl, running to catch up with Danny. “Are you going to
¶
WORD CHOICE
Silverman Elementary?”
Danny told her he was and asked if she was going there too.
“Sure am,” said the girl. “We just moved here. What’s your name?”
called “his gang”
“Danny Sanchez.”
“I’m Rose Summer, and that’s my brother, Joel.” The girl looked back
at the burly young man, who lifted his hand and said hi.
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (2)
Danny saw Aaron and his gang walking several paces behind Joel. He
clutched his backpack and began to walk faster.
“What’s up, Danny?” asked Rose.
CHARACTER
What does this
detail tell you
about Danny?
16 S T O R Y W O R K S
¶
KEY IDEA
A legend is a story
handed down from
long ago. Some
legends are partly
“It’s nothing,” said Danny. He began to relax. Aaron wouldn’t try anything with based on facts.
Joel around. Joel looked as if he could tackle a gang of 10. Could this be one?
When the bus arrived, Rose sat next to Danny. She told him that her
family had just moved into a house at the end of Danny’s road. Her father
and her brother were builders, and they had already found plenty of work in
Silverman City.
“Mum and I liked the idea of living in a city with a legend,” said Rose. “I guess
you know all about the legend of the silverman?”
Danny nodded. His mother had told him that long, long ago, when
Silverman City was just a cluster of shacks, a stranger had appeared—a vagrant
in a big black hat. He had a bow and arrows slung over his shoulder, and a small dog
ran at his feet. He also carried a bag of silver, and the townsfolk began to call him
the silverman because he was generous with his treasure. If anyone was in trouble, if
they were ill, or their business was failing, the silverman would help them.
The town grew, but one day a hurricane came roaring across the land and
reduced it to rubble. Many people died, including the silverman, so they said.
A new city rose up out of the ruins. It prospered, but every place has those who
are unfortunate. Every once in a while, poor, homeless, or troubled people would
find silver coins in their pockets, or a silver ring or brooch. It was always enough to
save their lives and turn their luck around. Folks said the silverman had returned—
unless it was his ghost.
“Do you believe in the silverman?” Rose asked Danny.
Danny shook his head. “I never met anyone who found a pocketful of silver.
There’s a poor, shabby man at the end of our road with a dog that looks close to
starving. I guess they need silver more than most.”
What is Rose
saying to Danny?
or a whole week, Danny was safe. Rose’s brother, Joel, came to the bus stop
F with her every day, and Aaron never made a move against Danny.
(Hint: It makes
¶
him smile.)
SHUTTERSTOCK (BOOKS); ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (MOUTH)
On the following Monday, though, Rose was alone. “Joel had to start work
early,” she told Danny. “He said I’d be OK now that I’ve got a friend to walk with.”
Danny smiled, and then his face fell. Aaron leaped in front of him with a nasty
gleam in his eye. “So, skinny Sanchez, what have you got for me today?”
“Nothing,” said Danny, trying to look brave.
Ned and Mickey ran and stood beside Aaron.
“Come on, hand it over,” said Aaron.
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 17
“What are you doing?” asked Rose in a scared voice.
“We want Danny’s lunch,” said Ned. “Don’t we, Danny?”
“You can’t have it,” said Danny, gritting his teeth.
“Oh, no?” Aaron kicked Danny’s shins, and Danny fell on the sidewalk. Ned
and Mickey wrenched off his backpack and emptied it onto the ground.
“Aha!” cried Aaron, pouncing on a chocolate bar. “You don’t deserve
chocolate, skinny Sanchez. You can’t have Coke. You can’t eat bananas.”
¶
CHARACTER
The gang thrust Danny’s food into their bags and started flinging his books and
pens all over the sidewalk.
Why doesn’t “Stop it! Stop it!” screamed Rose, grabbing the strap of Aaron’s bag. “You
Danny want bully!”
Joel to help Aaron tore her fingers off the strap and pushed her away. Across the street,
him?
several people looked over at the commotion, but before they could do anything,
Aaron and his gang had run off.
Danny got to his feet and began to pick up his books.
“Those mean, rotten bullies,” said Rose, bending to help him. “I’ll tell Joel.
He’ll do something.”
“No, don’t,” said Danny fiercely. “It’s my problem. I’ll sort it.”
Rose seemed to understand. She gathered up Danny’s pens and cleaned his
bloody knee with a tissue. When they got on the bus, she handed Danny half her
lunch.
Danny didn’t know what to say. No one had ever helped him before. He wanted
to give Rose something in return, but all he had was 10 cents, and it didn’t seem
right to give her so little.
D
uring the day, the weather turned wild and stormy. When Danny turned
the corner, he saw the shabby man and his dog sitting outside the Chinese
¶
CHARACTER
takeout. The man sat with his legs stretched out on the sidewalk. The brim
of his black hat was pulled down over his face, and the rain dripped onto his
shoulders. The dog’s head rested on its master’s lap. It looked tired and thin and
How does seeing
the shabby man
very old.
and his dog Danny pulled the 10 cents out of his pocket. If nothing else, it might be enough
to buy the dog a bone. As he reached toward the man’s gnarled, weathered
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
18 S T O R Y W O R K S
and for a moment he felt quite dizzy.
The man let go of Danny’s hand, and the boy stepped back.
Lying in his palm was a brooch: a shining, silver rose. Danny stared
at the shabby man. “Are you . . . are you the silverman?” he whispered.
The man said nothing.
A sudden, deafening roll of thunder and a torrent of rain sent Danny
running home. He showed his mother the rose that the shabby man had
given him, and then he told her about the girl who’d helped him out.
Mrs. Sanchez gazed at the shiny rose. “How strange,” she murmured.
“I wonder . . . Give the brooch to your new friend. I think it was meant for her.”
T
he next day, Danny gave Rose the silver brooch. The girl’s eyes sparkled.
She pinned the rose to her blouse and wore it all day. Everyone admired it.
When Rose and Danny got off the bus that afternoon, Aaron ran up to
Rose and tapped her on the shoulder. “Skinny Sanchez stole that brooch,” he told ¶
INFERENCE
her. Why does Mrs.
“I did not!” cried Danny. Sanchez think
“Oh, yes you did. My uncle owns a jewelry store in town. He said some kid the brooch is
meant for
had been shoplifting, and a silver rose was taken.”
Rose?
“That’s not true,” shouted Danny. “You’re a liar, Aaron Atkins.”
“You’re a thief,” said Aaron coolly.
Rose looked bewildered. She began to unpin the brooch.
“Rose, you don’t believe him, do you?” cried Danny.
“N-no,” said Rose, uncertainly.
“So where would someone like you get a silver rose, skinny Sanchez?” sneered
Ned Le Bon.
“I . . . I . . . The silverman gave it to me,” said Danny.
Aaron roared with laughter. “The silverman? He doesn’t exist.”
Danny ran to the Chinese takeout, with Aaron and his gang pounding along
behind him. They found the shabby man sitting in his usual place.
“Tell them about the rose,” begged Danny. “Please. You are the silverman,
aren’t you?”
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (2)
“Him?” scoffed Aaron in disbelief. “He’s no one. He’s less than no one.” He
poked the dog with his foot, and Ned and Mickey screamed with laughter.
“Don’t do that!” yelled Danny, shoving Aaron back. “You coward.” Notice how Aaron
treats the shabby
man. How is it
¶
different from the way
Danny treats him?
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 19
As Aaron raised his fist to strike Danny, there was
a violent clap of thunder, and the bully’s feet suddenly left the
ground. He flew through the air. Then he stopped, stuck to a tree
several yards down the road.
Ned and Mickey gaped at Aaron, their faces white with
PLOT horror. He was pinned to the tree by a shining arrow that had
This is an
pierced the shoulder of his jacket. “Help!” he called, in a small,
important
event! scared voice.
How does Ned and Mickey turned on their heels and ran off faster than
it solve jackrabbits.
Danny’s
Rain began to fall again in heavy, glistening sheets. Danny turned to
problem?
Rose, expecting her to run home before she got soaked. But Rose just stood
where she was, staring down the street. When Danny followed her gaze, he
saw the shabby man walking away through a veil of rain.
B
ut was it the shabby man? For now he moved in smooth, gliding
strides, and as the raindrops touched his shoulders, they sparkled like
stars. Even the dog, bouncing beside him, wore a coat of dazzling silver.
Rose and Danny watched the two figures melt into the distance, until
they were nothing but glinting water.
“He was the silverman,” breathed Rose.
“He was,” said Danny.
A voice called, “Help me. Please, Danny!” For a moment Aaron had
been forgotten.
¶
FIGURATIVE
Danny strode up to the bully and pulled out the arrow. LANGUAGE
Another
Aaron slumped to the ground. “Thank you,” he whispered.
great simile!
Danny was never bullied again. He didn’t find a pocketful of silver, What does
but his luck changed just the same. Rose’s father and brother drove up the it suggest
hill with bricks and paint and brand-new windowpanes, and soon they’d about the
man?
repaired the Sanchez’s leaky old house. When they had finished, Joel
climbed up and attached the strange, shining arrow to the roof so that it
spun in the wind like a weathervane.
“To remind us of the silverman,” said Rose.
SHUTTERSTOCK (BOY); ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (STARS)
WRITE TO WIN
Danny usually faces problems on his own. But in this story, he gets some help.
Write one paragraph explaining Danny’s main problem, who helps him
solve it, and why. Send it to “Silverman Contest” by October 15, 2014. Ten FIND AN
winners will each receive a copy of The Secret Kingdom by Jenny Nimmo. ACTIVITY
ONLINE!
20 S T O R Y W O R K S
Poetry
UP
CLOSE Personification In what ways do punctuation
marks seem like people in this poem?
A Punctuation Story
By Rebecca Kai Dotlich | Art by Carin Berger
S C H O L A S T I C . C O M / S T O RY W O R K S • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 21
Mythology/Read-Aloud Play
D O
Bo
P AN
Characters
Circle the character you will play.
*Chorus Members 1, 2, 3: help tell the *Epimetheus [ep-ih-MEE-thee-us]:
action of the play Prometheus’ brother
Greek Chorus: a large group of people who *Pandora [pan-DOR-uh]: the first woman,
speak in unison Epimetheus’ wife
*Zeus [zooss]: ruler of all the gods Deceit, Sickness, Jealousy, Hope: creatures
*Prometheus [proh-MEE-thee-us]: creator of in the box
all living creatures *indicates large speaking role
22 S T O R Y W O R K S
Pigs that wallow, birds that peep,
Fish that swim, and dogs that howl,
RA’
Prometheus made one and all.
Box
Chorus Member 2: Prometheus shows his work
S to Zeus.
Zeus: Terrific work here. Really terrific. But
what are those scrawny-looking things
shivering behind those bushes?
Prometheus: Ah, yes, my latest creation. I call
them humans. What do you think?
Zeus: They look a little sorry over there.
Couldn’t they use a little fur, like that lion?
Or how about some real teeth, like those
alligators? I’m really not impressed with
An ancient Greek myth, these humans.
retold by Jennifer Dignan Prometheus: Well, if you must know, I let
Art by Russ Wilms Epimetheus help me . . .
Zeus: You did what? What were you thinking?
Chorus Member 3: Epimetheus is . . . how can
we say this?
Chorus Member 1 (whispers): A little slow.
Zeus: I’ll tell you what. Get rid of the humans,
and we’ll call it a day. We could replace
them with more of those furry barking
things. I like those!
Prometheus: We can’t just get rid of the
humans! I’m very attached to them. How
about we give them something to help them
out a little? Something hot . . . smoky . . .
Zeus: Don’t say it . . .
Greek Chorus:
Zeus certainly had no desire
UP
CLOSE To even think of sharing fire.
Prometheus: Oh, come on! You are so stingy
with your precious fire.
Zeus: Fire belongs to the gods and only the
LOOK FOR WORD NERD’S 8 TERMS IN BOLD
gods. I forbid you to give it to those silly-
Prologue looking creatures.
Chorus Member 1: Long, long ago, says Prometheus (sighing): Well, you’re the boss.
Greek mythology, Zeus gave the task of Zeus: And don’t forget it.
making all the creatures on Earth to a god Chorus Member 2: But Prometheus disobeys.
named Prometheus. He steals fire from Mount Olympus and
Greek Chorus: shows the people on Earth how to use it.
Snakes that slither, cats that creep, Prometheus: Just rub the sticks together like
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 23
so, and there you are! Now you can roast with a wedding present, something special
your lamb to crispy perfection! for my favorite couple.
Chorus Member 3: Humankind is thrilled. But Greek Chorus:
Zeus is furious. As he wished them all the best
Zeus: How dare you defy me! It’s off to the He handed them a padlocked chest.
mountainside for you, where birds will peck Pandora: Oh, Zeus! You shouldn’t have.
at your liver forever! Zeus: But it’s the least that I could do. And
Prometheus: Wouldn’t a simple time-out work? exactly what you deserve!
Chorus Member 1: Prometheus is doomed to Epimetheus: Is it an urn? A torch?
an eternity of suffering. Zeus: No, no, nothing like that. Just a little
Zeus: That takes care of Prometheus. But how something special that could change your
should I punish the humans? lives forever.
Greek Chorus: Pandora: I can’t wait any longer! Let’s open it!
The easy life that men enjoyed Zeus: Hold on a moment! There is just one
Would soon by Zeus be destroyed. condition with this gift. You must never
open it.
Scene 1 Epimetheus: Huh?
Chorus Member 2: Zeus creates a beautiful Pandora: What’s inside?
woman named Pandora. She is clever, Zeus: It’s something exceptional. That’s all you
charming, and—most important—curious. need to know.
Chorus Member 3: Zeus then introduces Pandora: I need to know more than that!
Pandora to Epimetheus, who falls madly in Zeus: I’m not surprised that you’re curious, but
love with her. remember: You must never, ever, under any
Chorus Member 1: Remember what we told circumstances, open this chest.
you about Epimetheus . . . Epimetheus: Don’t worry, Zeus. I’ve got
Chorus Member 2 (whispers): He’s a little slow. everything under control.
Chorus Member 3: One day, soon after their Greek Chorus:
wedding, Pandora and Epimetheus hear a With a grin great Zeus departed,
knock at their door. Knowing well what he had started.
Epimetheus: Hey, it must be Prometheus, Chorus Member 2: The minute he is gone,
back from his vacation. Pandora runs over to the chest.
Chorus Member 1: Epimetheus Epimetheus: Zeus told us to leave it
opens the door. alone, so forget about it!
Epimetheus: Oh, Zeus! What an Pandora: You’re right. I promise
honor! Have you heard never to think about it again.
from my brother? He’s Epimetheus: Good. Let’s go
still not back from downtown and watch the
that vacation you chariot races.
sent him on.
Zeus: Vacation? Uh, Scene 2
yes, his bird-watching tour. I A few weeks later
just got a postcard from Epimetheus: I’m going shopping
him today. But enough for new sandals. Want to come?
about him. I’ve come Pandora: No thanks. I’ve got some
24 S T O R Y W O R K S
things to do at home. little voices coming from the chest.
Epimetheus: All right. Just remember . . . Deceit: We really want to come out and play
Pandora: I know. Don’t open the chest. with you.
Greek Chorus: Sickness: I’m not getting any younger in here!
Pandora really tried her best Pandora: Who said that?
To forget about the chest. Jealousy: Alexandros, the man up the block,
But buzzing in her like a bee was allowed to open his present from Zeus!
Was her curiosity. Pandora: No, no! I’m not supposed to open it!
Chorus Member 3: Pandora soon finds herself Jealousy: You wouldn’t believe what was in
standing right in front of the chest. Alexandros’ chest!
Pandora: It can’t hurt just to look at it. Deceit: Zeus really won’t mind! He wants you
Chorus Member 1: Soon, her hands are on it. to open it!
Pandora: It can’t hurt just to touch it. Jealousy: If you don’t open it soon, we’ll go ask
Chorus Member 2: Before long, her ear is Alexandros to do it.
pressed to the chest. She shakes it gently. Sickness: Come on! My back is killing me!
Pandora: It can’t hurt just to listen to it. Pandora: I don’t know. Besides, it’s locked.
Chorus Member 3: Suddenly she hears sweet Jealousy: The key is in the lock.
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 25
Pandora: No one aged,
So it is. and no one lied.
Deceit: Go Pandora: This is
ahead. terrible! I’ve
Nothing bad ruined everything.
will happen! Chorus Member 2:
Sickness: Pleeease? Down on the floor,
Pandora: Well . . . one creature remains.
Chorus Member 1: The Hope: But remember,
chest flies open. A foul- every cloud has a silver
smelling wind rushes from the lining, and tomorrow is
box and knocks a new day. Things can
Pandora back. only get better!
Greek Chorus: Pandora: What are you
When Pandora talking about? Get back
turned the key, in the chest!
Sickness, deceit, Hope: That would be a
and jealousy big mistake. I’m not like
Flew out with other the others. My name is
kinds of evil, Hope, and I’m the one
Bringing pain to all thing that will make life
Earth’s people. bearable with all of those
Chorus Member 2: nasty creatures roaming around.
A swarm of hideous Pandora: How do I know
creatures fly wildly you’re not just another
around the room. one of them?
Jealousy: Woo-hoo! Hope: You must
Deceit: Freedom! believe me,
Sickness: ¡Hasta la vista, Pandora! Pandora. I’ve got
Pandora: Oh no! What have I done? to get out there, and
Jealousy: Looks like you’ve just let you’ve got to help me!
evil into the world, my friend! Pandora: Well, you do
See ya! seem different from
Chorus Member 3: The the others. Somehow,
horrible creatures jump out an I feel better just
open window and start to make knowing you’re here.
their way across the earth. Chorus Member 3: Pandora
Chorus Member 1: Pandora slams the scoops up Hope and helps her
window shut, but it is too late. All but one of out the window to fly off into the world.
the creatures have escaped. Greek Chorus:
Greek Chorus: When Pandora turned that key,
Before that moment, life was great. She set all kinds of horrors free.
There was no anger, grief, or hate. We’re just happy that she knew
No one argued, no one cried, To let Hope out the window too.
26 S T O R Y W O R K S
PAIRED-TEXT ACTIVITY
Myth Talk
From books and movies (think Percy Jackson) to video games and more,
Greek mythology shows up everywhere—even in our language!
Check out these common figures of speech that come from Greek myths:
The myth: Pandora was told she must not The myth: Greedy King Midas wanted everything
open a box. But because she was curious, he touched to turn to gold. His wish came true,
she couldn’t resist. When she opened it, to and soon all he put his hands on—including food,
her horror, many evils escaped. drinks, and his daughter—became solid gold.
What it means: To “open a Pandora’s box” What it means: To “have the Midas touch” means
means to start unexpected trouble. to be successful at making money.
The myth: To become a god, Hercules had The myth: Achilles’ mom dipped him into the
to complete 12 nearly impossible tasks—like River Styx to protect him. His heel, untouched
fighting multiheaded beasts. It took enormous by the river, was his only weak spot. Years
strength to face these challenges. later, an arrow pierced his heel, killing him.
LANCE LEKANDER
What does “to make a Herculean effort” mean? What does “to have an Achilles’ heel” mean?
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 27
Opinion Writing
TAKE Debate
A SIDE Directions: Read the article. Study the facts. Decide
what you think. Write an opinion essay.
Mom can’t
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM. ILLUSTRATION BY LANCE LEKANDER
give me the
answer, Rocco.
So now I’m
counting on
you!
28 S T O RY W O R K S
do an hour or more of homework per night. that if students can’t do the homework, they
No wonder homework often turns into a team should let the teacher know so they can get the
effort between kids and parents. extra help they need. Plus, part of growing up
But could all of this helping actually be is learning to balance outside activities and the
hurting kids? demands of schoolwork.
A recent study by two university
Practice Makes Perfect professors, called The Broken Compass: Parental
Many experts say yes, especially when Involvement With Children’s Education, found
parents cross the line between helping and that kids who got extensive homework help
doing. Pointing out math mistakes is fine— from their parents actually scored worse on
unless a mom then reveals the right answers. standardized tests than kids who managed
Proofing a project is helpful, unless a father homework on their own.
takes over. (Hear us, Emily’s dad?) So what’s the answer to this difficult
“I give homework for students to practice problem?
what they have learned,” says fourth-grade Maybe you should ask your parents—or
teacher Maura Sackett. Many educators agree maybe not! n
2 2
3 3
Study the points on both sides of the argument—and think about your
own opinion. State your opinion in one sentence below. It can become the thesis FIND AN
ACTIVITY
statement for an opinion essay on this topic. SHEET
ONLINE!
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 29
Vocabulary
Will I get a
bellyache I found
while I digest the recipe
this? Nah. in a cooking
COURTESY OF THE ROSENTHAL FAMILY (MELISSA); ©BRAD WILSON/ICONICA/GETTY IMAGES (MONKEY); ISTOCKPHOTO.COM (BANANA SPLIT)
Give me a
moment to
digest how
delicious it Wild Word Contest!
will be. Can you find a word that can
be used at least three different
ways? Send it to us, along with
a fabulous sentence for each
meaning. If we choose your entry
for a future issue, you’ll get a
prize! Send entries to “Wild Word Contest”
by October 15, 2014. See page 2 for details.
30 S T O RY W O R K S
The Adventures of
The Word Nerd
Tyler Maxwell used to be a typical boy. But one
day, a 10-pound dictionary fell on his head.
Luckily, he survived. But now Tyler can use only
the biggest, hardest words there are. His friends
don’t understand him. Can you help?
Directions: Use a dictionary to help you figure out what Tyler
is trying to say. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
SEE OUR
WORD NERD
E AL-LIFE Word Nerd Contest! SLIDE SHOW
R Jordan Lapp Write your own Word Nerd ONLINE!
Hillview Intermediate
Center
exclamation. If we choose
Grove City, Pennsylvania yours, you will be featured as a
Real-Life Word Nerd.
W Jordan wrote this
OR
D
S T O RY W O R K S . S C H O L A S T I C . C O M • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 31
Infographic
Don’t Smart
WILD RATS confuse
me with 9Solve mazes
❑
one of these
guys! 9Perform tricks
❑
9
❑ Respond to their names
EVERYWHERE
MELINA SOUZA PHOTOGRAPHY/FLICKR OPEN/GETTY IMAGES (CENTER); ELLEN VAN DEELEN (RAT TEDDY BEAR); ALL OTHER IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK. SOURCES: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, THE HUMANE SOCIETY, PETA, CDC
= Social
Wherever people live, rats
live too. There are about
Aren’t
GERMY Clean I cute?
SALMONELLA
Rats groom
themselves
PLAGUE several
times per
RAT-BITE FEVER
day.
WRITE TO WIN
Write one paragraph to convince your mom to let you get a pet rat, using the above
information to show that pet rats are different from wild rats. Send it to “Pet Rat Contest” by
October 15. Five winners will each receive a Storyworks prize. See page 2 for details.
POSTAL INFORMATION: STORYWORKS (ISSN 1068-0292) is published six times during the school year, monthly September, October, and January, and bimonthly November/December, February/March, and April/May by
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32 S T O R Y W O R K S