Signposts in Refugee by Alan Gratz Chapters 11-16

Contrasts and Contradictions are...

• a sharp contrast between what you would expect and what you observe the character doing, includes behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.

• when a character realizes something that shifts their actions or understanding of themself, others, or the world around them.

• questions a character raises that reveal their inner struggles.

• advice or insights a wiser character, usually one who is older, offers about life to the main character.

• events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Aha Moments are...

• a sharp contrast between what you would expect and what you observe the character doing, includes behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.

• when a character realizes something that shifts their actions or understanding of themself, others, or the world around them.

• questions a character raises that reveal their inner struggles.

• advice or insights a wiser character, usually one who is older, offers about life to the main character.

• events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Tough Questions are...

• a sharp contrast between what you would expect and what you observe the character doing, includes behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.

• when a character realizes something that shifts their actions or understanding of themself, others, or the world around them.

• questions a character raises that reveal their inner struggles.

• advice or insights a wiser character, usually one who is older, offers about life to the main character.

• events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Words of the Wiser are...

• a sharp contrast between what you would expect and what you observe the character doing, includes behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.

• when a character realizes something that shifts their actions or understanding of themself, others, or the world around them.

• questions a character raises that reveal their inner struggles.

• advice or insights a wiser character, usually one who is older, offers about life to the main character.

• events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Again and Again are...

• a sharp contrast between what you would expect and what you observe the character doing, includes behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.

• when a character realizes something that shifts their actions or understanding of themself, others, or the world around them.

• questions a character raises that reveal their inner struggles.

• advice or insights a wiser character, usually one who is older, offers about life to the main character.

• events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Memory Moments are...

• recollections by characters that interrupt the forward progression of the novel, a flashback.

• when a character realizes something that shifts their actions or understanding of themself, others, or the world around them.

• questions a character raises that reveal their inner struggles.

• advice or insights a wiser character, usually one who is older, offers about life to the main character.

• events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Read this excerpt from Refugee. What signpost does it represent?

"It was night, and a waning moon peeked out from behind scattered clouds. A warm breeze lifted Isabel's short curly hair and raised goose bumps on her arms. Fidel Castro had said that anyone who wanted to leave was welcome to go, but that was hours ago. What if he had changed his mind? What if there was a line of police waiting to arrest them at the beach? Isabel hefted the boat to get a better grip and tried to pick up her pace" (p.36).

• Tough Questions

• Words of the Wiser

• Contrasts and Contradictions

• Aha Moment

• Memory Moment

Why is this excerpt from Refugee an example of a tough question? What is Isabel thinking about and why does she need to bring it to the attention of the reader?

"It was night, and a waning moon peeked out from behind scattered clouds. A warm breeze lifted Isabel's short curly hair and raised goose bumps on her arms. Fidel Castro had said that anyone who wanted to leave was welcome to go, but that was hours ago. What if he had changed his mind? What if there was a line of police waiting to arrest them at the beach? Isabel hefted the boat to get a better grip and tried to pick up her pace" (p.36).

Read this excerpt from Refugee. What signpost does it represent?

"Mahamoud remembered the horror he'd felt when his apartment building collapsed, and he'd thought his mom was still inside. The fear he'd felt when they couldn't reach his father. If his parents had died in the airstrike, would he want revenge on their killers? Instead of running away, should Mahmoud and his father join the rebels and fight to win their country back" (p.41)?

• Tough Questions

• Words of the Wiser

• Contrasts and Contradictions

• Aha Moment

• Memory Moment

Why is this excerpt from Refugee an example of a tough question? What is Mahmoud thinking about and why does he need to bring it to the attention of the reader?

"Mahamoud remembered the horror he'd felt when his apartment building collapsed, and he'd thought his mom was still inside. The fear he'd felt when they couldn't reach his father. If his parents had died in the airstrike, would he want revenge on their killers? Instead of running away, should Mahmoud and his father join the rebels and fight to win their country back" (p.41)?