A CROSSWORD PUZZLE TO GO WITH

By Pam Muñoz Ryan & Peter Sis

Created by Jean Martin for Grades 5-9

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The Dreamer in a Nutshell:
Pam Muñoz Ryan is known for her inspiring multicultural books for young people…and
this book is no exception. When coupled with drawings by Peter Sis, this book is deeply
moving. The Dreamer is a fictionalized biography about the Nobel Prize winning poet, Pablo
Neruda. Poetry, art, and prose combine to tell the tender story of Pablo’s life growing up
in a Chilean family ruled by his abrasive and intimidating father. Labeled as absentminded
and idiotic, Neftali (who later changed his name to Pablo) was a lover of words and dreams
while at the same time a shy and tongue-tied stutterer. This compelling story is sometimes
heart-wrenching, and sometimes heartwarming, yet always full of hope. It is bound to inspire
all who read it: pre-teens through adult!

Written for students in grades 4-9. Reading level approximately 6thgrade.

NOTE: This crossword puzzle is also included in the book study that I created to go with The Dreamer. It is
designed for students in grades 5-9 and includes both comprehension and mini lessons on some of the literary
devices found in the book. It is aligned with CCSS and can be used with individual students, with a book club, or
with an entire class and includes a student booklet (that can be used as worksheets) intended to be completed
independently. If you are interested in this, you can see previews of it here or by looking in my store:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Dreamer-by-Pam-Munoz-Ryan-A-Book-Study-106312

Created by Jean Martin for Grades 5-9

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 JEAN MARTIN'S BALANCED LITERACY

I HOPE YOU FIND THIS PRODUCT TO BE JUST WHAT YOU WANTED!

If you have suggestions or questions for me, email me at jabmartin@aol.com

If you'd like to be notified when I publish a new product,
just click the FOLLOW link on the "My Purchases" page.
Also, please leave your feedback there!

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF OTHER PRODUCTS YOU CAN FIND IN MY STORE

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Jean-Martins-Balanced-Literacy
 By Pam Muñoz Ryan

1 2 3

5 6 7

8 9

10 11

12

13 14 15

16 17 18

19

20 21 22

23

24

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS DOWN

2 What toy was given to Neftali through a hole in 1 Swans sing when they die.
the fence? 3 The gift that Neftali pushed through the fence in
8 La MaÑana was Uncle Orlando's ________. return for his toy.
9 The setting for the story. 4 How many swans did Neftali bury?
10 This bird has a copper colored throat and is 5 Mamadre's brother.
thought to tell the future. 6 One of the names that children called Neftali.
11 Pablo received the _________ Prize for 7 Father called Neftali ___________ because he
Literature in 1971. daydreamed.
15 The oldest child in the Reyes family. 8 Pablo Neruda
16 This horned beetle is large and can carry objects 12The youngest child in the Reyes family.
many times its weight. 13 How many swans did Neftali care for?
17 The shape of the smooth grey rock found at the 14 This forest insect displays rainbow colors and
beach. disappears in an instant.
20 Father was a railroad conductor. 18 This person was a librarian and offered his old
21 The girl who received Neftali's letters. home to use as a hideout.
23 Who asked Neftali to write a letter to a girl? 19 Jóse Reyes
24 Neftali wrote ____________ everywhere. 22 What animals did Neftali befriend?

WORD BANK: absentminded, Augusto, beetle, Blanca, Chile, chucao, false, father, Guillermo,
heart, Laurita, Mapuche, Neftali, newspaper, Nobel, Pulitzer, one, Orlando, pinecone, rhinoceros,
Rodolfo, sheep, shinbone, swans, true, two, wolf, words
 Answer key for The Dreamer Crossword Puzzle

F S H E E P
O A I
N L O S N A
N E W S P A P E R C H I L E B
E E L I C S
F C H U C A O N N O B E L
L T N B N N
A A T B R O D O L F O E T
U L W E O N M
R H I N O C E R O S H E A R T I
I T F U N
T R U E B L A N C A S G D
A E T W G U I L L E R M O
H A S D
E N T
W O R D S O

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