STONE FOX
CHAPTERS 8-10
contestants
A person who participates
in competitions.
turnout
The group that gathers
together for a particular
occasion,
“A large turnout gathered for
the race.”
positioned
the place where someone or
something is in relation to
other people or things
clenched
Squeeze parts of your body
together or grip something
tightly.
tension
a feeling of nervousness
that makes you unable to
relax
deserted
Empty
“Willy raced by the
old, deserted barn.”
disqualified
Stop someone from doing something or taking
part in something because they have done
something wrong.
glimpse
A short look at something; see
something very briefly.
effortlessly
Without effort; with ease.
steadily
At a steady rate or pace.
challenger
The contestant you
hope to defeat.
massive
very large and heavy
limp
.
To walk in a slow and awkward way
because of an injury to a leg or foot.
Chapter 8, Text Dependent Questions, Key Ideas and Details
Why wasn’t Little Willy able to see out of his right eye?
Why do you think Little Willy looked back at the farmhouse when he was
leaving for the race?
Why didn’t Little Willy like to hunt? What does this tell you about him?
What did Little Willy tell the townspeople about his eye? Why didn’t he tell the
truth?
Chapter 8, Text Dependent Questions, Craft and Structure
1. On page 68, what does it mean that “all bets were on Stone Fox”?
2. Why does the author tell us that Little Willy didn’t care about who won the
race for the youngsters?
3. Can you find the simile on page 69? (His face was frozen like ice.) Explain
the meaning of the simile.
4. Why does the author have Little Willy say “Morning” to Stone Fox (on page
69)?
5. What words, phrases, or sentences on page 70 describe the “tension” that
“filled the air”? Why does the author describe tension like this?
Chapter 8- Journal Topic
“ The Day” is the title of this
chapter. Is that a good title? Why or
why not? Can you think of another
title?
Writing Prompt:
Should the people in the town
admire Little Willy? Support your
opinion with evidence from the
text.
Chapter 9 Close Reading Questions:
Why is Little Willy winning the race in the beginning? Use evidence from the
story.
Why didn’t Little Willy have to slow down like other racers did?
What does Little Willy see when he passes Grandfather’s farm?
What makes “tears of joy” roll down Little Willy’s face?
What made Little Willy mad?
1. On page 71, why does the author say that “Stone Fox started off dead
last”?
2. Why does the author write ”Swish! Swish! Swish!” on page 72? (Explain that
this is an onomatopoeia. Could you use words like this in your writing to make
it more interesting?) Why does it make sense to use these words in this part of
the story?
3. On page 78, what does it mean “that she poured on the steam”? Why does
the author use this phrase to explain what is happening?
Chapter 10: Close Reading
1. Why is the crowd cheering madly at the beginning of chapter 10?
2. What happens 100 feet from the finish line?
3. Why does Stone Fox draw a line in the snow?
4. Who wins the race?
5. What are Stone Fox’s only words in this story? Why did the author choose
to have him say these words?
6. How did the author surprise you with the ending of the story?
Chapter 10, Text Dependent Questions, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
1. How did Little Willy change from the beginning of the story to the end of the
story?
2. How did Little Willy and Stone Fox’s relationship change over time?
2. How are Stone Fox and Little Willy alike? How are they different? (Use a
double bubble or Venn diagram)
TETON MOUNTAINS