About
The only thing Lucas loves more than football is his Uncle Benny, his dad's best friend at the fire department where they both work. Benny taught Lucas everything about football. So when Lucas's parents decide the sport is too dangerous and he needs to quit, Lucas has to talk to his biggest fan. So the next morning, Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes — and nothing will ever be the same again.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Tell me the setting of this story.
Page 1 — New York City, New York; Tuesday, September 11, 2001; 8:46 am; streets busy with taxis, cars & buses
1
What's the definition of "careened"?
Page 2 — (verb) to lean, sway, or tip to one side while in motion
2
Describe the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
two silver and glass buildings next to each other; rose a quarter of a mile high in New York City
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
The author introduced this story by beginning in the first chapter with the events of September 11th unfolding in New York City. In the second chapter, the author shifted the sequence of the story by going back in time. Explain why you think the author used this style of writing.
Page 4 — To get the audience’s attention; interesting way to introduce Lucas and the events of September 11th.
4
Why was Lucas the happiest when playing football with his team?
Page 5 — he felt he belonged
5
How did Lucas feel about football when Uncle Benny took him to his first practice?
Page 9 — didn't like it; didn't feel like he could play
9
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What's a "concussion"?
Page 12 — (noun) injury to the brain or spinal cord due to jarring from a blow or fall
12
What did Lucas' dad do for a living?
Page 15 — fire fighter
15
What are two consequences of Lucas' dad being burned in the warehouse fire?
Page 16 — arms that are still scarred; made him quiet; far away look in his eye
16
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why did Lucas’ mom take him to the doctor?
Page 18 — To get him checked out before he could play football again
18
The doctor showed Lucas pictures of football players. What did they all have in common?
Page 21 — They all died from concussions
21
Why did the doctor suggest that Lucas never play football again?
Page 22 — 3 concussions in 2 years is too many for an 11 year old boy
22
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
How do you know the firefighters were fond of Lucas?
Page 30 — they hugged him; rubbed his head; said they missed him; said he was growing like a weed
30
Who told Lucas' mom about Dr. Barrett?
Page 32 — Uncle Benny
32
What was flying overhead when Uncle Benny was talking to Lucas about quitting football?
Page 33 — an airplane
33
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What is the definition of "hypnotized"?
Page 37 — (verb) being frightened or startled so that movement is impossible
37
what did the plane crash into when it was flying low over the city?
Page 38 — one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center
38
How would you feel if you saw an airplane flying low in a city and crashing into a building?
Page 38 — Sad; scared; panicked; terrified
38
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
How big was every floor of the Twin Towers?
Page 42 — About the size of a football field
42
Why was it important for Lucas to call his mom and leave a message about where he was after the airplane hit the tower?
Page 45 — She didn’t know where he was and would be worried
45
What did Uncle Benny’s words mean, “we’ll do what we always do”?
Page 45 — they’ll fight fires and save lives
45
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Why did Benny feel like he needed a job after all of the fire fighters disappeared to the twin tower?
Page 47 — He wanted to help
47
What job did Benny choose to do to help?
Page 47 — Clean up the breakfast dishes
47
When Benny was washing dishes and watching the news in the firehouse, what made him drop the skillet into the sink, shattering plates and glasses?
Page 49 — Another plane crashed into the second tower
49
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why couldn’t Lucas get a hold of his parents when he tried to call them?
Page 52 — There were too many people using the phones and all of the circuits were busy
52
Lucas didn’t want to be alone after the second airplane hit. Where did he go?
Page 56 — Down south to the crash site
56
Who came out of the crowd and grabbed Lucas and held him tight?
Page 58 — His dad
58
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What did Lucas' dad mean when he said they weren’t going to be able to put out the fires, but that it was a rescue operation now?
Page 60 — Save all of the people they can
60
What do you think made the roaring noise, the ground tremble and felt like a boiling hot tornado hit in New York City?
Page 66 — One of the buildings fell down
66
Why did Lucas feel like the world had ended and that he was the only person left?
Page 66 — There was silence and he couldn’t see anything when he opened his eyes
66
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
Describe how the dust felt that coated Lucas.
Page 68 — Made it hard to breathe; it was everywhere- between his teeth, stuck to his tongue and the back of his throat; grains were jagged with bits of ground glass; cut into his skin as he tried to brush himself off
68
When dad turned on his flashlight to gather everyone together in the convenience store, what did Lucas compare it to?
Page 68 — The moon on a foggy night
68
What type of figurative language is this an example of?
Page 68 — Simile
68
What had happened to one of the towers?
Page 72 — It had completely collapsed
72
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
What was Uncle Benny's outcome?
Page 81 — He made it out carrying a man a minute before the second tower collapsed; he sought shelter under an engine truck
81
Write a paragraph of 35 words or more- What was one good thing that Lucas had realized had come out of that day? How can going through a catastrophe help people and their relationships become stronger?
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