Journals for The View from Saturday: make sure all journals are at least 3
sentences and labeled!
The View from Saturday: Lesson 1: Chapter 1 (pages 1 - 20)
1. Write a paragraph describing the setting in your own words, noting at least five or six
expressions or vocabulary words that the author uses to help you picture the setting. Pay
careful attention to the author's description (bottom of pp. 2-4).
2. Why do you think the author decided to write the novel using so many different points of
view? Is it better when a story is told from multiple views or through the eyes of only one
person?
3. Write a description of Noah Gershom. Include physical characteristics, how he acts, what you
know by what he says and thinks, how he feels, and relationships he has. Support your
statements with brief examples from the text.
The View from Saturday: Lesson 2: Chapter 2 (pages 21 - 41)
1. How does Noah describe Alan? How does Nadia describe Alan? How are their descriptions
different? How do they (both Nadia and Noah) feel about him? (Use evidence from the book!)
2. What big decision did Nadia make regarding the turtles and the turtle walks? What does this
tell you about her as a person?
3. What are the three points of view used in the novel so far? Who is each of them? How do
you, the reader, feel about these changes in point of view? Explain.
The View from Saturday: Lesson 3: Chapter 2 (pages 41 - 57)
1. Nadia said, "Inside of me there was a lot of best friendship that no one but Ginger was using"
(p. 42). In what context did she say it? What does she mean? What does this tell you about
Nadia? (Use evidence from the book!)
2. Nadia's father said, "And there will be times that you or I will need a lift between switches" (p.
57). In what context was this said? What is meant by this? Could you put yourself in this
situation?
3. Nadia says, "Many friendships are made and maintained for purely geographical reasons." In
what context does she say this? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
The View from Saturday: Lesson 4: Chapter 3 (pages 57- 75)
1. What caused Nadia to be so angry at Ethan? Do you think Nadia's anger was justified?
Explain your opinion.
2. Often you don't realize that what you are reading is causing you to form an opinion about the
characters in the novel. Give your opinions of Julian, Mrs. Olinksi, Ethan, Nadia, and Noah. It
is important for you to think specifically about what is causing you to think that way. Support
your opinions with evidence from the text.
The View from Saturday: Lesson 5: Chapter 3 (pages 75 - 93)
1. Why do you think Nadia chose such a name as "The Souls"? What does it mean? Why is it
significant?
2. What does Nadia mean when she says, "Noah, you may be smart beyond your years, but
you are not wise"? Why do you think that?
3. How do The Souls interact at school (especially Ethan and Julian)? What do you think about
it? Why do you think they act this way? What would you do if you were in their place? Why?
4. Ethan says, "Had I gained something at Sillington House? Or had I lost something there? The
answer was yes" (p. 89). What do you think he gained and what did he lose? (Support your
response!)
The View from Saturday: Lesson 6: Chapter 4 (pages 94 - 107)
1. Nadia says, "Less is more." Clearly explain what she meant. Do you agree with her? Support
your argument with your own examples.
2. Julian suggests that The Souls work on a "project." He believes that they can help Mrs.
Olinski. Who tries to keep Mrs. Olinski "off balance" (and what does that mean)? How will they
try to help her?
3. Does Mrs. Olinski think that Julian erased "paraplegic" and wrote "cripple"? Support your
response.
The View from Saturday: Lesson 7: Chapter 4 (pages 107 - 118)
1. Describe the situation with Julian and the biscuits. What did he need to decide and how did
he handle it? How did he come to his decision? What did Julian mean when he said, "Gopal
would forgive me"(p. 118)? Be specific. Do you think he did the right thing? Support your
response.
2. Julian said, "For reasons we had not spoken of, yet each of us understood, none of us was
ready to reveal our association" (p. 109). What does this mean? Why do you think this was so?
3. Before Julian ran backstage he pressed a Year-of-the-Souls penny into Noah's hand, and
then Noah slipped one into Ethan's hand. What did this mean?
The View from Saturday: Lesson 8: Chapter 5 - 7 (pages 119 - 138)
1. What kind of disturbance did Jared and Ham make in the classroom? How did Mrs. Olinski
decide to handle it? What do you think the boys were expecting? Did Mrs. Olinski use good
judgement? Why or why not? If you were Mrs. Olinski, what would you have done? Why? What
other things could teachers do to help students obey classroom rules and regulations?
2. Mrs. Olinski says that "Western Civilization is in a state of decline because people don't take
the time to take tea at four o'clock" (p. 125). What do you think Mrs. Olinski feels about the
"idea" of tea? Why?
3. On page 138, Nadia thinks to herself, "Sometimes people need a lift between switches."
What does she mean in this situation?
4. After defeating Knightsbridge and thus being able to move to the finals, the chapter ends with
the comment "Other victories followed, but none was sweeter" (p. 138). What does this mean?
Why was this so?
The View from Saturday: Lesson 9: Chapter 8 - 9 (pages 139 - 150)
1. Mr. Singh and Mrs. Olinski had a very mysterious conversation. List at least three or four
good questions for discussion that you would ask to help make their conversation more clear if
you were listening in.
2. Choose a character that you really like or dislike. Describe who the character is and what
part he or she plays in the story. Give three or more solid reasons (in other words, support) for
your view of this character.
3. Dr. Rohmer insisted that Dr. Fairbain should smile a lot and say only, "The taxpayers are very
proud." Why don't you think Dr. Rohmer would let him say, "We are very proud of these
youngsters" or "Everyone is proud of this team"?
4. On page 149, Bella uses the expression "Less is more." What did she mean in this particular
situation? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
The View from Saturday: Lesson 10: Ch. 10-12 (pgs.150- 160)
1. What does the story mean to you, in addition to the events and characters it describes?
2. What is the author trying to say to you through the protagonist's actions?
3. What do you see in the story regardless of what the author may have meant?
4. State one theme from the text that you have discussed in class or that you have identified on
your own. Describe three or more situations in the story that illustrate the theme.