Why is the stop at the Missouri River, South Dakota significant?

• After not being able to find Gram and Gramps, Sal feels like everyone will eventually leave her one by one

• Sal feared losing Gram to a snake bite. It was at this time that Sal wishes that time would slow down

• When Sal sees a pregnant woman, she is reminded of her mother. She reminisces about the loss of her baby sister and feels guilty that it may be her fault

• She is reminded of her home in Bybanks, Kentucky

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What does Gramps say every night?

• “This ain’t our marriage bed, but it will do.”

• “Don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

• "Sweet dreams.”

• “Ain’t no party like a sleeping party!”

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is one of the reasons Gram is bitten by a snake in the Missouri River?

• She was trying to capture it because she wanted to give Sal a new pet.

• She was trying to catch the snake to cook for dinner.

• She was holding it during a Native American dance.

• She was distracted by a threatening stranger who was approaching them.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.4

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Sal is reminded of the Singing Tree she has back in Bybanks while she is…

• sitting on the porch at Phoebe’s house reading one of the mysterious messages.

• standing outside of the hospital where Gram is recovering from a snake bite.

• sitting in Mr. Birkway’s classroom looking out the window.

• looking at her tiny new house and teeny tiny bedroom when she first arrived in Euclid.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

In chapter 20 (The Blackberry Kiss), Sal and Phoebe experience a very similar life event, what is that event?

• Both girls have distant fathers that do not care about their happiness.

• Both of their mothers have left with little or no explanation.

• Phoebe and Sal both have received notes on their front porches from an unknown person.

• Phoebe and Sal both realize that they are adopted.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Why does Sal's mom go to Lewiston, Idaho?

• She really likes Idaho.

• It is almost as far as she can get from Sal.

• She needed time to clear her head and heart; she wanted to be able to figure out who she is deep down.

• She was kidnapped.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

How is Ben able to trick Sal into holding his hand?

• He says that he is able to read palms.

• He tells her that he wants to kiss her.

• He tells Sal that he knows where her mother is.

• He says that he has never held a girl's hand before.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

In Sal’s journal, she writes about a habit that she learned from her mother. What is that habit?

• She flinches anytime anyone touches her

• She is afraid of spiders

• She will only eat blackberry pie

• She kisses trees to see if they taste like blackberries

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.5.10

In English class, Mr. Birkway has students draw their souls in fifteen seconds. Whose drawings turn out to be the same?

• Sal and Ben

• Sal and Phoebe

• Ben and Phoebe

• Phoebe and Mary Lou

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What clues does Phoebe’s mother leave that show she was not taken by a stranger?

• She took all of her clothes with her

• She left a phone number to reach her at

• She has left several prepared meals in the freezer

• She told Mrs. Cadaver where she was going

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1