ruby holler questions for web page · 12.would you like to live in ruby holler? explain and discuss...

Ruby Holler Questions for Web Page

AutoSave 1

April 23, 2010


AutoSave 2

April 23, 2010

1. How do the children, Dallas and Florida feel about Mr. Tredid? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

2. What are some of the rules of Boxton Creek Home? What are some of the punishments Dallas and Florida receive for breaking the rules?

3. There were many rules in the Boxton Creek Home, do you think that all the rules were necessary? Which rules were necessary, which rules are unnecessary? Explain your choices.

4. How do you think Mr. and Mrs. Trepid feel about Dallas and Florida? Use the text to support your answer.

5. Would you have liked to live in the Boxton Creek Home? Why or why not?

6. Dallas and Florida had a plan. What is there plan? Is it a good plan?

7. What do you predict might happen in the book?

8. The author mentions a grey bird in chapter one and again in chapter 3, what might be the significance of this bird to the story?

9. Why was Dallas and Florida not allowed around the other children at the home?

10. How do you think the other children view Dallas and Florida? Why?

11. What did the twins do that made the Hoppers bring them back to the home?

12. Do you think that Dallas was really going to steal the jar full of quarters?

13. How do Florida and Dallas feel about each other? How do you know?

14. When Dallas is sent to the Thinking Corner, what does he think about? What does Florida think about?

15. Describe some of the fears that the children have.

16. Mrs. Trepid tells the children to take off the “I’ve been bad tshirts.” Why do you think she might do this?

17. The children dislike the Trepids, why then do they not want to be placed into another foster family?

18. Why do you think the children referred to the people who were going to take them on an adventure as “pirates”?

QuestionsChapters 16


AutoSave 3

April 23, 2010

1. The title of chapter 7 is Doubts. What might the children be having doubts about?

2. Florida is continuing to look for the negative of being with the Morey family. What is the cause of this?

3. When Florida and Dallas first arrive in Ruby Holler, they ask Tiller and Sairy a lot of questions about their new home. What do the questions reveal about other places they've lived?

4. The Morey’s were afraid the children were going to be disappointed in the sleeping arrangements at their home. What was the reason that felt they would be disappointed? Do you think that the children were disappointed? Use the text to support your answer.

5. The title of chapter 8 is Hansel and Gretel. Why do you think that the author chose to name this chapter that?

6. People always seemed to dislike or get mad at Dallas and Florida. What was the effect of this?

7. Dallas dreams of paradise. Florida dreams of lizards and rats chasing her. What does each dream tell you about the children?

8. Tiller is having doubts in chapter 9, what do you think his doubts are?

9. At the beginning of chapter 10, Dallas is looking at photographs. What do you think these photographs are? How do you know?

10. How do Dallas and Florida feel about not knowing what their parents look like? Are there any positive aspects that either sees about not knowing?

11. Florida is angry and starts throwing pillows at the walls. What do you think caused the anger?

12. Why do you think the author chose to pair up Tiller with Florida, and Dallas with Sairy?

13. How is the Morey’s different from the other foster families that they have went to stay with?

14. Florida wants to work day and night to earn money so that her brother and she can escape on the night train. Do you think that they will do this?

15. How do you think the Morey’s react to the children’s expectations? What do the expectations of the children tell about them?



AutoSave 4

April 23, 2010


1. What do you think really caused Dallas and Florida to stay and not leave on the freight train the first evening?

2. How does Tiller’s reaction to the children contrast to his wife’s?

3. What word would you use to describe Dallas? Use the text to support your answer.

4. Why do you think Tiller decided to share his paint story with Florida? What does this reveal about Tiller?

5. Why does Florida feel that the children must have been crazy to leave home?

6. How is Florida and Tiller’s relationship changing?

7. Why do you think the children are still collecting food?

8. What does the children’s reaction to the boats and birds tell you about the children?

9. When the boat broke, what did the children expect the consequence to be? Support your answer with reference to the text.

10. What character trait would you use to describe Sairy? Support your answer with reference to the text.

11. What was the reason that Dallas was worried at the beginning of chapter 13?

12. How does Sairy feel about the twins? How do you know?

13. The children reveal their plans, what are they? Do you think they will go through with them?

14. What effect do you think Dallas’ dream will have on the twins’ plans for the future?

15. Dallas and Florida have contrasting views with Sairy and Tiller about the maple tree. Describe how each feels about the maple tree.

16. Why does Tiller hesitate about speaking to the twins in chapter 16? What does this reveal about him?

17. Why is Dallas frightened to sit in the rocking chair?

18. What does the rocking chair symbolize for Tiller?

19. How does Mrs. Trepid feel about the twins? How do you know?

20. Does Mrs. Trepid like children? Use the text to support your answer.

21. Why do you think Mr. Trepid went to get Dallas when Joey became ill and not someone else? What does this reveal about Mr. Trepid’s feelings about Dallas?

22. Why do you think Mr. Trepid remembered the boy Joey when it was silent?


AutoSave 5

April 23, 2010


1. Tiller becomes nervous when Sairy begins talking about the understones. What do you think caused him to become nervous?

2. Describe what the understone funds are.

3. What do you predict the twins are going to do?

4. Do you believe that Florida and Dallas are really worried about Sairy’s and Tiller’s safety? Why or why not?

5. Why do you think that Tiller and Sairy never mentioned their true feelings about their children being gone?

6. What causes Sairy to think of her children?

7. Do you think that it was a good idea for the children to follow Tiller and Sairy? Why or why not? What do you predict is going to happen?

8. Do you think that Tiller and Sairy believed the children’s explanation that they were worried about them?

9. How do Tiller and Sairy make themselves feel better when something is troubling them or someone that they love?

10. How do Dallas and Florida’s opinion of money contrast to that of Tiller and Sairy?

11. Do you think that it is a good idea for Dallas and Florida to bury their money like Dallas and Sairy did? Why or why not?

12. Why do you think that Tiller and Sairy have such a difficult time believing the twins description of the Boxton Creek Home?

13. Florida states that Mr. Trepid is so happy because he got rid of us. Do you believe that this is the reason that he is so happy? If not, what do you think the reason is?

14. How do you think the twins felt about seeing Mr. Trepid again? Use the text to support your answer.

15. What do you think Sairy thinks of the Trepids? Why?

16. Why do you think that Mrs. Trepid asked about the twins?

17. Florida refuses to call Sairy by her name. What do you think the cause of this is?

18. Why do you think the children are leaving now for the night train?

19. Sairy is having a difficult time thinking, what do you believe is the reason for this?

20. How is the setting going to impact the twins plan in chapter 23?

21. How does dreaming help Tiller? What do you predict his dream will reveal about the twins future?

22. Creech includes a lot of the characters’ dreams in the novel. Why do you think she does this? Discuss how dreams affect the story and the characters in it.


AutoSave 6

April 23, 2010


1. What caused the twins to become lost?

2. Why did the twins think of Mr. and Mrs. Dreep?

3. Why do you think that the twins talked negatively about themselves? What does this reveal about the twins and their perceptions?

4. How does remembering the Dreeps help the twins now?

5. The twins begin talking about their trips that they were supposed to take, why do you think that they did this?

6. Do you think the children are really disappointed that they did not make the freight train? Why or why not?

7. The author includes many flashbacks in the book, why do you think that she does this?

8. How do the flashbacks affect the children today? Explain how the flashbacks can be positive and negative for the children.

9. Z is a very mysterious person. What kind of person do you think he is? What clues does Creech give you to his character? Do you think he will become closer to the twins in the future?

10. What do you predict is going to happen later in the novel?

11. Chapter 27 is titled trials, what do you think trials means here? What types of trials might the children have while in the holler?

12. Would you like to live in Ruby Holler? Explain and discuss the positive and negative things about living in a holler.

13. How do you think that Tiller and Sairy knew where the kids were?

14. Why do you think Tiller and Sairy did not get angry with the twins for trying to run away?

15. How did Tiller and Sairy turn their running away into something positive? What does this reveal about them?

16. The woman left the twins at Boxton Creek, why do you think she might have done this? Do you think the woman cared for the twins, explain your answer?

17. Mrs. Trepid at first wanted the twins. What does this reveal about her? What caused her to change her mind about the twins?

18. Do you think that the twins were really bad? Explain your answer.

19. Why do you think the garbage cans reminded Mrs. Trepid of the children?

20. What reasons did the children give for going on the trips. Do you believe that this was the only reason that they are going? Explain.

21. Sairy says that the holler has become an enchanted place in the last month. What might have caused her to view the holler differently.

22. What fears did Tiller and Sairy reveal in this chapter?

23. What caused everyone to have nightmares?

24. Why do you think that Sairy suggests having ice cream with their breakfast that morning?

25. Why does Tiller suggest having rehearsals? What does he hope to accomplish with these?


AutoSave 7

April 23, 2010


1. Why is the river called Hidden River?2. Tiller is very patient. Give evidence from the book that

supports this.3. Do you think Florida regrets agreeing to go on this trip with

Tiller? Why or why not?4. Sairy asked Dallas if he wondered what he was like without

Florida, why do you think she asked Dallas this question? 5. What do you think some inner thoughts of Sairy are?6. What do you predict will happen in chapter 33?7. Z asked what is special about this spot, why do you think Mr.

Trepid lies to Z and does not tell him what’s at this spot?8. Why did Mr. Trepid like about Z?9. Where is this money from heaven going to appear from?10. Why not keep the money and stay in Boxton Creek?11. Sairy states that Mr. Dreep’s behavior was criminal. Why then

did he not have to go to jail for his treatment of Dallas and Florida?

12. How do Dallas and Florida get through their tough times in the Dreeps’ home?

13. Florida and Tiller are a lot alike. Name two similarities that they both have.

14. Why caused Sairy think of the ball of twine unfolding behind her?

15. Which do you think would be harder, to miss a mother who you loved or to miss a mother who you never knew?

16. What caused Tiller to feel in pain in chapter 37?17. What effect do word pictures have on Florida? How do they

help her? 18. If Z knew Mr. Trepid had lied to him, why then did he follow

through with the job and begin surveying the holler?19. Why do you think the author chose to call chapter 39, the

worrywarts?20. Sairy is feeling sad, why do you think that she is crying?21. What does the crying remind Dallas of?22. Dallas was not sure why Florida had cried on some occasions

and he hadn’t. Maybe she “was crying enough for the two of them.” Page 200. How did Dallas and Florida each contribute differently to their relationship?

23. What things did Sairy and Dallas forget to bring on their trip? 24. Why do you think that no one carved that perfect piece of wood over the years?25. What does this piece of wood show you about Tiller and Sairy?26. How are Dallas and Sairy similar?27. How are these trips going to help Tiller and Sairy, Florida and

Dallas?28. How have each of the characters changed since meeting each

other?29. Describe how Dallas and Florida received their names.30. Why do you think that no one left a note that told the twins’

names? What does this reveal about their parents?


AutoSave 8

April 23, 2010


1. Chapter 41 is titled “Shopping”, who do you predict will be going shopping? Why?

2. What does the saleswoman mean when she states, “That dress was made for you.”?

3. What caused Mrs. Trepid to become embarrassed while shopping?

4. Do you think that the salespeople knew that the Trepids could not afford what they were looking for? Why or why not?

5. What do the Trepids shopping experiences reveal about Mr. and Mrs. Trepid?

6. Why does Sairy not argue with Dallas about when his real birthday is?

7. What caused Dallas to feel angry at the end of chapter 42?

8. Dallas had a revelation about his birthday, what was it? How did he know that July could not be his real birthday?

9. Do you think Florida is enjoying her trial vacation? Why or why not?

10. Tiller tells Florida that she is a good interesting, why does he do that? What does this reveal about him?

11. What problem does Florida and Tiller have on their journey?

12. Mr. Trepid is not pleased with Z’s progress. What evidence supports this claim.

13. Do you think that Z is being honest with Mr. Trepid? Explain your answer.

14. What is your impression of Z? Why?

15. What caused Florida and Tiller to tip their boat?

16. Why do you think that Florida thought, "Help me, Dallas," when she was drowning?

17. What do you predict will happen to Florida and Tiller?

18. Why do you think Z is piling stones and marking them?

19. Z discovered Sairy’s box, what do you think he is going to do with it? Why do you think that?

20. At the beginning of chapter 47, Dallas exclaims, “Water!” Why do you think the author chose to discover water at that particular moment.

21. Describe Mr. and Mrs. Trepid’s second shopping trip. Do you think that it is a coincidence that they both ended up in the same shop? Explain.

22. Florida and Tiller are in trouble. Describe their trouble.

23. Florida has a recollection of a time at the “Home”. How is this recollection going to help Florida?

24. The fall caused Dallas to remember Mr. Trepid. What does he remember? Why does he not tell Sairy what he recalls?

25. How does Dallas feel about leaving their backpacks?

26. One can tell that Dallas is hesitant about leaving their backpacks with the boys? Why does he decide to do it anyway?


AutoSave 9

April 23, 2010


1. How does Z feel about Tiller and Sairy? How do you know?

2. How do you think that Tiller and Sairy will react to the news that Z is going to give them?

3. Z finds a fake birth certificate for the twins. Why is this important that Z was the one to help Mr. Trepid?

4. Why does Z not know if the twins are his children or not?

5. How do you think Z is feeling at this moment?

6. Florida is angry. How does her anger help her survive?

7. What thoughts do you think must be racing through Florida’s head at this time?

8. “I’m thinking that those two boys were pulling our legs.” What type of figurative language is this?

9. Why do you think that Dallas does not reveal the intense feeling of trouble with Sairy?

10. Why does Sairy say that she hopes Z was not with Mr. Trepid? How do you think she will react to him telling them his story?

11. Why is Dallas so curious about Z?

12. Trust and honesty are important themes in this book. Who do you think the most trusting characters are? Who is the least? Who is the most dishonest? Do you think anyone in the book is unwisely trusting and honest? When and why? How does being trusted change the twins?

13. What does Tiller’s reflection about Rose reveal about Tiller and his feelings for Florida?

14. Z reveals that he has Tiller and Sairy’s under stone funds. Why does he not reveal all of his secrets at this point in the story?

15. What caused Sairy to cry?

16. Why does Z begin talking about Kangadoon at this point in the story?

17. Do you think that Sairy and Dallas will go on their trip to Kangadoon? Why or why not?

18. At first Florida is angry with Tiller for not rescuing her, what caused her to change her mind?

19. What do Florida’s actions reveal about her feelings for Tiller?

20. What character trait would you use to describe Florida in chapter 56?

21. What do you think Florida is feeling when she looks at Tiller after pulling him from the river?

22. Why does Florida feel as if she could break into a zillion pieces?

23. Why is Z acting strange toward the children? What might be his inner thoughts at this moment?

24. What do these trips teach the twins about life?25. The twins, Sairy, and Z are cooking. What is the purpose of their cooking?26. How does this time cooking contrast to the other times that Sairy has cooked?27. What sorts of treasures do you think Mr. Trepid will discover?28. How does Mrs. Trepid feel about the children?29. Why do you think that Mr. Trepid did not tell his wife the truth about his “land” investments?


AutoSave 10

April 23, 2010


1. How would you describe Tiller’s attitude? What caused this attitude to occur?

2. What do you predict Z is going to discuss with Tiller?

3. Why was Z questioning Sairy about the year that his wife left him?

4. What type of figurative language is “kick the bucket”?

5. What is the Trepid adventure that Sairy is referring to?

6. If everyone knew that Mr. Trepid was coming, why then did they not try to stop him?

7. Describe Mr. Trepid’s attitude as he searched for his treasure.

8. What did Mr. Trepid find while searching for his treasure?

9. What caused Mr. Trepid to be hesitant about opening the pouch?

10. What do you think was in the pouch?

11. What do you predict the values of the jewels are?

12. Where do you think Mr. Trepid will be taking the jewels for an appraisal?

13. Do you think that the Trepids will be taking a trip? If so, where do you think they will be going?

14. What does canceling the trips symbolize to Dallas and Florida?

15. Why does the salesman not question Mr. Trepid about the food on his clothing?

16. Why does Mr. Trepid want to take the car for a test drive?

17. If the salesman knows that the gems are fake, why then does he not tell Mr. Trepid?

18. How do the Trepid’s children react to the news that their parents have been keeping two children at their home?

19. Dallas and Florida ease dropped on a conversation that was not meant for their ears. What effect does this have on the children?

20. How has Dallas and Florida changed throughout the course of the book?

21. Do you think that Dallas and Florida heard the entire conversation or just part of it? How do you know?

22. What does Tiller and Florida plan on doing with the children?

23. How does Tiller and Sairy’s feelings about the children contrast to those of Lucy and Buddy?

24. Why do the children feel as if money is trouble? Do you agree with the children that money is trouble?

25. Why do the children decide to camp right in sight of the cabin?

26. What are the children’s inner thoughts about running away?

27. How do the children know that the bacon is meant for them?

28. What are the children going to do?

29. If you were to write an additional chapter to the book, what would the chapter be titled? Why?

ruby holler questions for web page · 12.would you like to live in ruby holler? explain and discuss...

Documents