Crossroads

The Crossroads

By: Chris Grabenstein

Publisher: Random House Copyright: 2008

Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Ghost Story Setting: Connecticut, Present day

SUMMARY: When Zack’s father remarries, and moves his family to his home town, an evil ghost from the past is released from its tree prison by lightning. It begins seeking revenge on Zack, whose grandfather killed his son. But there are others ghost involved too, who are the result of the accident that but the evil being into the tree to start a fifty year haunting.

AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: Chris Grabenstein has been writing for a long time. You can even read some of his eighth grade journal and learn more about the author at his website: http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/ya/chris.php

Other books written by the author: This is the author’s first children’s book. A second book with the same characters,The Hanging Wall has been published.

SIMILAR BOOKS/BOOKS WITH A SIMILAR THEME: All the Lovely Ones

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (If question is related to a specific chapter, chapter is in parenthesis following question)

Why did Zack and his father never discuss how his mother treated him?

In what way does this story show that it is not good to try to hang on to the past?

How does Zack’s relationship with his step mother change from the beginning of the story to the end? What are some of the feelings that surface for them both?

Discussion question

LITERARY LINKS or ACTIVITIES: A Study Guide on Crossroads which covers vocabulary words, comprehension, journal questions, discussion questions, and suggested activities is available at: http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/ya/teachers.php

Language Arts (List each and Indiana Academic Standards Grades 6-8 addressed by each): LA 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 7.4, 7.5. 7.6, 7.7, 8.5, 8.6 After reading Crossroads, students will develop an idea for a ghost story using graphic organizers, and will write a biographical ghost story, informing the audience of how or why they became a ghost. Students will present their story to their classmates, practicing oral presentation skills.

Social Studies (List each and Indiana Academic Standards Grades 6-8 addressed by each): SS 6.1, 7.1 Students will research the cultural ghost stories of a specific country or area of the world, and will create a presentation showing two to three examples from a country’s culture concerning ghosts or spirits.