Chapter One Name: ______________KEY_______________CT3

*Reading Focus:
Learn about Joseph, his new foster family,
and the setting (their farm in modern-day Maine)

Directions: Read Sections 1 and 2 (p. 1-10) thoroughly, trying to

ENVISION the characters’ actions in your mind.
→ Only then, answer the questions:

Section 1 Questions (p. 1-4)

1) The Hurd family consists of mom, dad, and sixth-grader _JACK_.

2) We can infer that Mrs. Stroud is a social worker.

→ Clues?
*Her folder is labeled
“Dept. of _HEALTH__ & ___HUMAN___ Services”

*She tells the family about Joseph’s history to see if they want

____TO STILL BE HIS FOSTER PARENTS___________

3) Joseph has been in TWO detention centers:

Adams _LAKE__ _JUVENILE___ & __STONE_ Mountain

→ Circle the word that lets us know these places are for kids.
(CIRCLE “JUVENILE”)

4) What happened to get Joseph sent to a worse placement?

*One-sentence summary:
HE WAS HIGH ON DRUGS AND TRIED TO KILL A TEACHER.
 5) Based on the list on p. 3, Joseph likely has PTSD.
→ Circle one: True or False

6) What detail about Joseph do Jack’s parents seem to think will

surprise Jack the most?
HE IS ONLY FOURTEEN BUT HAS A BABY DAUGHTER.

Section 2 Questions (p. 5-10)

7) Animals have personalities! *Match each animal with its description

by drawing lines from the animal to its personality:

*Dahlia → B A. Old horse who lives in the Small Barn

*Rosie → C B. Moody, sassy cow who is easily spooked

*Quintus Sertorius → A C. Sweet cow who likes her back

scratched

8) Steps Forward, Steps Backward… What happens to make Joseph

freak out just when he’s finally getting the hang of milking?

MR. HURD WALKS TOO CLOSE BEHIND JOSEPH; JOSEPH PANICS AND
KNOCKS OVER THE MILK PAIL.

9) Do you think Mr. Hurd will be a good influence for Joseph?

Why or why not? Write 2-4 sentences stating your opinion & giving
evidence.

MR. HURD WILL BE A GOOD INFLUENCE! HE STAYS CALM AND DOESN’T

YELL, BUT HE IS ALSO FIRM. FOR EXAMPLE, HE MAKES JOSEPH FINISH
MILKING. ADDITIONALLY, MR. HURD APOLOGIZES WHEN HE MAKES
MISTAKES (EX: FORGETTING TO NOT WALK BEHIND JOSEPH).

10) Mr. Hurd tells Joseph, “I don’t need the milk.” (pointing at Rosie) “But she
needs you to milk her.” …Is their farm for profit, for therapy, or both?
Write a sentence giving your opinion and telling why you think so:

*ANY REASONABLE ANSWER IS ACCEPTABLE.