1.) Why does Melinda cooperate with her mother’s plan to get her father to buy the television?
The reason why Melinda cooperates with her mother's plan to get her father to buy the television is, because she understands that her mother never gets anything for everything she does.
2.) Why does Melinda’s mother make getting the television the goal of their second visit with Melinda’s father?
She makes getting the tv a goal, because she feels that she does not get anything from him and that she does all the work to take care of her daughter.
3.) Why is Melinda nervous before she goes down to talk to her father, while her mother is having fun getting her ready?
She does not want to ruin the relationship that they have by demanding something.
4.) Why does Melinda think for a “wild moment” of asking for a candy bar, but then tell her father she is saving for the television? (p. 102)
Her mother says that she is saving up for the television, because her mother would get mad at her.
5.) Why does Melinda’s mother yell at her and call her “ordinary” after they get back from Disneyland? (p. 103)
Melinda's mother calls her mother ordinary, because she wouldn't have a real conversation with her new father.
6.) Why does Melinda go to Jerry after the fight with her mother?
She goes to Jerry after the fight, because she feels that he might be the only one that does not want anything from her.
7.) Why does Melinda stop skating after the ice show?
She stops skating after the ice show, because she feels that she will not have any attention anymore.
8.) Why does Melinda decide not to go to the Girl Scout breakfast with Jerry?
Melinda decides to not go with Jerry, because she thinks that Jerry could be a replacement.
9.) When her mother yells at her after their return from Disneyland, why does Melinda remain silent?
Melinda remains silent, because she might want her mother to speak her mind and she might agree with her.
10.) At the end of the story, why does Melinda skate with Jerry even though she thinks of him as “just another man in the world, who had nothing to do with me”? (p. 104)
Melinda skates with Jerry, because she has no one else to go to.
The reason why Melinda cooperates with her mother's plan to get her father to buy the television is, because she understands that her mother never gets anything for everything she does.
2.) Why does Melinda’s mother make getting the television the goal of their second visit with Melinda’s father?
She makes getting the tv a goal, because she feels that she does not get anything from him and that she does all the work to take care of her daughter.
3.) Why is Melinda nervous before she goes down to talk to her father, while her mother is having fun getting her ready?
She does not want to ruin the relationship that they have by demanding something.
4.) Why does Melinda think for a “wild moment” of asking for a candy bar, but then tell her father she is saving for the television? (p. 102)
Her mother says that she is saving up for the television, because her mother would get mad at her.
5.) Why does Melinda’s mother yell at her and call her “ordinary” after they get back from Disneyland? (p. 103)
Melinda's mother calls her mother ordinary, because she wouldn't have a real conversation with her new father.
6.) Why does Melinda go to Jerry after the fight with her mother?
She goes to Jerry after the fight, because she feels that he might be the only one that does not want anything from her.
7.) Why does Melinda stop skating after the ice show?
She stops skating after the ice show, because she feels that she will not have any attention anymore.
8.) Why does Melinda decide not to go to the Girl Scout breakfast with Jerry?
Melinda decides to not go with Jerry, because she thinks that Jerry could be a replacement.
9.) When her mother yells at her after their return from Disneyland, why does Melinda remain silent?
Melinda remains silent, because she might want her mother to speak her mind and she might agree with her.
10.) At the end of the story, why does Melinda skate with Jerry even though she thinks of him as “just another man in the world, who had nothing to do with me”? (p. 104)
Melinda skates with Jerry, because she has no one else to go to.
vocabulary in context
1.) Maternal (p. 92)
Quote: "You must miss him.' Other mothers got maternal, pulling me close to their soft, aproned bellies." (Page. 92)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): relating to a mom
Synonym: Affectionate, kind
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The babysitter became the girls maternal figure after her parents did not come back from their trip.
2.) Luxuriously (p. 95)
Quote: "He crossed on leg over the other, smoking luxuriously." (Page 95)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): comfortable and elegant.
Synonym: relaxation
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): She rode a luxuriously nice car.
3.) Glamorous (p. 97)
Quote: "In them, he didn't look like himself. He had short bristly hair and a glamorous smile."
Definition (based on context/in your own words): exciting qualities that make something thing look special.
Synonym: amazing
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The new building was glamorous.
4.) Glinted (p. 98)
Quote: "She glinted along the ice, shifting her weight from leg to bent leg."
Definition (based on context/in your own words): giving off small flashes of light.
Synonym: shine
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The castle glinted as the sun rose.
5.) Approximated (p. 100)
Quote: " She had already stopped telling Jerry the things she wanted because he tried to get them for her and he made mistakes. He approximated.
Definition (based on context/in your own words): not accurate
Synonym: similar
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): His answers were approximated.
thinking maps
Melinda's mom is helpful because she provides financial support.
She coaches her with her skating.
She does not talk negatively about her father in front of Melinda.
She encourages Melinda, because of her talent.
Melinda's mom is hurtful, because she told her daughter that she sounded dumb and ordinary.
She becomes more interested in Jerry more then her daughter.
She asked her daughter to get things from her father.
She made Melinda feel like everyone is asking her for things that they want.