4. Toward the end of the summer, Ethan catches a large fish when they're in the boat. He falls overboard, and the main character jumps in after him to rescue him. How does Ethan feel about the dog's behavior?

5. What is one of the main themes in this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has life changed for this family after Todd's setting fire to their house?

2. What is the reason Bailey does not like the flip? What does this say about him?

3. How is the end of this life like the last? Why?

4. How might Bailey's sense of smell come in handy in the future?

5. Why is Toby unadoptable? Do you agree? Why or why not?

6. Who is Spike? How does he affect the dog pack?

7. How is Bailey affected by all these changes? Is this typical for a dog? Why or why not?

8. What does Toby's mother try to teach her puppies? Should she do this? Why or why not?

9. What do you believe has happened to Marshmallow? Support your response with evidence from this section.

10. How does Bailey/Toby feel about other animals? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Repetition of various elements is used in this story.

Part 1) What elements are repeated? Why are they repeated? How does the dog react to this repetition? How is the reader affected by this repetition?

Part 2) Is this repetition effective? Why or why not? What other literary devices are used in this book? Why are they used?

Part 3) What repetitive actions exist in humans lives? What actions do all or most humans have in common? What do these actions reveal about humans?

Essay Topic 2

The main character has an affinity for humans.

Part 1) How is this revealed throughout the book? How do his feelings for humans compare to those of other animals? Why does he have this attachment to humans? How does this attachment affect him?

Part 2) Why might the author choose to have this main character like humans? How does this affect the story and the connection the reader has with the characters in the book?

Part 3) Overall, what are your own feelings regarding people? Do you relate more to the main character in the book or to another character in the book, regarding the security of human relationships with others? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Todd is an antagonist in the story.

Part 1) Describe Todd. How does he develop over the course of the story? What assumptions are made about what has led him to act the way he does? Is there anything that could have been done to change him? If so, what? If not, why not?

Part 2) How does Todd's attitude and behavior affect those around him? What is his purpose in the story? What other characters throughout the book are similar to Todd? How are they similar?

Part 3) How do antagonists in your own life influence and affect you? How do you deal with them? What can be learned from your experiences with them?

(see the answer keys)

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