 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
- Teaching Guide for HUNGRY
Lexile Level: 1100
- Introduction
The following lessons have been designed around the 6th Grade English-Language Arts Content
Standards for the State of California, though teachers of other grades and in other states should find
lessons that will be applicable for their classrooms.
English-Language Arts
As a teacher, I understand the demands of using state adopted/standard based curriculum and the
issue of not having the time to teach everything that we are expected to cover. For this reason, I’ve
focused mainly on the vocabulary, narrative analysis, and writing standards and have tried to
make the activities flexible enough to be used either for a language arts period or as a general guide
for discussion.
I selected vocabulary for two reasons. For each chapter, the first list of word is for general
classroom discussion that would help to build background knowledge and comprehension.
The second list is to be used for front-loading for EL learners. I used the “tier-two” criteria to select
vocabulary for this list: words that are in general use that would benefit students understanding of
English both in and out of the classroom. The words presented are only suggestions. Please adapt
either list for your needs. It’s best to use one method of teaching vocabulary for an extended period of
time. Ideas might include:
1) Meaningful Sentences- students write a sentence with vocabulary word and a definition or
example of the meaning of the word in the sentence. They then put a box around the word and
underline the definition/example. These sentences then can be expanded for more detail and
complexity with further drafts.
2) Use of vocabulary/thinking maps. Examples can be found online in such places as
www.readingquest.org
3) Creating sentence frames that scaffold the use of the vocabulary in a variety of sentences, from
simple to more complex.
4) To help with fluency, use the REWARDS method Anita Archer (the goddess of reading instruction)
has developed: first circle prefixes and syllables, next underline vowel sounds in the
root/stem parts of the word, then loop syllables as each is being pronounced, finally say
the word fast.
5) You can find information about the meanings of affixes in a REWARDS teacher’s manual or on-line.
There’s plenty of information online as well in terms of word origins to fulfill Sixth Grade Standard
1.3 Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development.
- Math
Have a Math Champs contest in your classroom or in your school. Present some of the math
problems found in the story to your class. Have your students create some of their own to quiz each
other.
Science
Deborah, the protagonist, reflects on the necessity of eating, the effects of consuming resources,
genetics, and evolution; HUNGRY could easily be tied to with Sixth Content Standards, specifically
Standard Set 5 Ecology (Life Science), Standard Set 6 (Resources), and the Seventh Grade
Content Standards, specifically Standard Set 2 (Genetics) and Standard Set 3 (Evolution).
Social Studies
Both the sixth and seventh grade content standards for social studies focus on ancient civilizations
and world history. Understanding the concept of culture is a major standard for both grades; using
the “unique” characteristics of Deborah’s alien culture is a possible way to illustrate what culture is and
how it functions. Other connections for social studies that HUNGRY presents include:
immigration, citizenship, democracy versus totalitarianism, Bill of Rights, values of society
versus individual needs, and current events.
Behavior Intervention
Incidents of bullying occur throughout the novel. (The planned invasion could be seen as bullying on a
grand scale). Discussions could revolve around how Deborah deals with a grandmother who
manipulates her and how she and Willy deal with Alicia’s taunts and threats. What should a child do if
they feel their actions are beyond their control, as Deborah does by the end of the novel? What are
bullying behaviors? What can kids do to recognize it in themselves and others? How can you deal with
a bully in a constructive way?
Healthy Eating
It would be easy to involve a food/cooking curriculum. Deborah’s forays in the world of human food
revolve around M&Ms and Burger King, though she also explores healthy food as well. What are the
benefits of eating healthy? What is a healthy diet? Can snacks, desserts, and sodas be a part of it? If
your students were going to give Deborah advice about her diet, what would they tell her?
The Book
Background:
The protagonist of HUNGRY is a sixth grade girl named Deborah Jones, but is also known as
Dbkrrrsh by her family and the rest of her species. Her family has come to Earth to make preparations
for an invasion. She is caught between wanting to be a good citizen of the Home World, living up to her
parents expectations, and the values she has learned growing up in America. The dilemma she faces
is a moral one as she has been brought up to believe to survive she must feed on human beings. Her
best friend, Willy, who has started sixth grade as a social outcast, becomes the focal point of her
problem. She is expected to feed on him to prove her loyalty to her planet.
Chapter One: Coffins in the Living Room
Summary: Deborah explains that she is an “illegal immigrant” and discovers Willy’s family have coffins
in its living room because they celebrate “the month of Halloween.”
Vocabulary
protein dynasty immigration assimilated status
Tier Two Words
attention compete mentioned pronounced try-outs
Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean that Willy dressing in his vampire costume reflected his family values?
2. Deborah accepts the strangeness of Willy’s family fairly easily, hardly fazed by the coffins. Why do
you think this is?
3. Discuss what Margie means by “We’re all immigrants in this country.” What issues do illegal
immigrants face in America? Why is it so important for Deborah and her family to blend in?
Writing Connection
Response to Literature
1. What clues does Deborah give in this chapter that she and her family aren’t whom they seem to be?
2. Why do you think Deborah and Willy have become friends? Find evidence that illustrates their
personalities and backgrounds to support your opinion. From what you know of Deborah and Willy at
this point would you be friends with them?
Chapter Two: The Bride Wore Black
Summary: Mr. Bartlett, Deborah and Willy’s teacher, kicks Willy out of classroom. Deborah is chosen
to be on the Math Champs team with Alicia. Willy’s family contacts the ACLU. Deborah finds out that
she’ll be expected to feed on Willy and his family at their wedding in the Prattville Cemetery on
Halloween night. After the feeding attempt is thwarted, Deborah makes a choice she hates.
Vocabulary
policy metabolism essence evolutionary adaptations species
Tier Two Words
guaranteed convenient public ancestor career
Discussion Questions
1. What would happen in your classroom if someone called another student a “freak” the way Alicia
does to Willy? Is Alicia bullying Willy?
2. Should a classroom be a democracy?
3. What do you make of Willy’s family contacting an organization (the ACLU) to defend Willy’s right
to wear his costume to school? Do believe his suspension is serious enough for this or not?
4. Deborah’s mother explains that she and Deborah’s dad have decided Deborah’s old enough to
“hunt.” Do you think Deborah still believes that it’s okay to feed, as long as the feeding isn’t
personal?
5. In Home World culture, duty to the planet and focus on career are important values. What values
do you believe our culture promotes?
Writing Connection
First Person Narrative
Deborah explains how the overskin works as a disguise and what lies beneath her human
appearance. Write a first person narrative in which the real you is hidden beneath a disguise. The “real
you” may be you or a character you create. Use your imagination to create an original disguise, but try
to design one that you can’t easily get out of. Describe why you need the disguise. What problems
does the disguise create? What opportunities? Does anyone else know what lies beneath it? What
would happen if you no longer wore it?
Chapter Three: Hooked on Horror
Summary: Margie explains to Deborah that she and Fred met at a horror movie festival, and that since
she was a girl she had been “hooked on horror.” Deborah has difficulty pronouncing her grandmother’s
name. In her attempts, it comes out as Pig’s Butt. Deborah realizes she has a crush on Willy, which
further complicates the family plans for Thanksgiving. Deborah’s parents tell her she’s betrothed to a
boy from the Home Planet. Later, she defends Willy to Mr. Bartlett and receives a detention.
Vocabulary
aptitude insurgent conspiracy betrothed millennium
Tier Two Words
shallow coached realized challenged nutritious
Discussion Questions
1. Deborah doesn’t have a typical grandmother. From what you know so far about the Home
World culture, make predictions about what the grandmother will be like and what she’ll
expect Deborah to do.
2. Margie, Willy’s step mom, tells Willy it isn’t easy being different, but he’ll be glad he’s being
brought up to be an individual because this will help him to make his way in life. Do you agree?
Explain.
3. How would you react if guests came from out of town and you had to give up your bed for a
long period of time?
Writing Connection
Persuasive Essay
In some cultures arranged marriages are common. Pretend you are Deborah (or her fiancé) and
write a persuasive letter to convince your parents to reconsider the future they have in store for you. In
your essay, remember to include reasons the parents would think of as a rebuttal and answer each
point they might try to make. Be sure to include an introduction, details, transition words, and a
concluding paragraph before you write your salutation (the part of the letter that says “goodbye” and
your name.)
Chapter Four: Eating the Logans
Summary: Deborah starts to loose control of her tentacles and discovers she has Disruptive Tentacle
Syndrome, a classic symbol of puberty for Home Worlders. At school, Mr. Bartlett tells her that he
expects her to win the Math Champ contest. The Thanksgiving feeding at the Logan’s that the Jones
are counting gets interrupted when Deborah’s father gets a call from a Home World spaceship on his
cell phone.
Vocabulary
inspiration fluctuating calculating unethical genetic diversity
Tier Two Words
technology transfer technique lecturing patient
Discussion Questions
1. George, Deborah’s dad, tells her that after the invasion, the Home World plans to keep some
humans alive to be “drones.” What would life be like for these people?
2. Deborah describes her species as “pack animals.” What does she mean by this?
3. How is it possible for Virginia, Deborah’s mom, to bond with Margie over Avon and gardening, and
yet still want to feed on her?
Writing Connection
Descriptive Writing
Write a diary entry by either Willy or Alicia about what is happening in Mr. Bartlett’s room. Use
details. What can they see, hear, feel, even taste or smell in the room. We know what details Deborah
notices. What do Alicia and Willy pay attention to?
Chapter Five: Jackpot
Summary: The Joneses finally feed on their way to pick up the Home World guests. Virginia wins a
jackpot at a service station in Reno on the way to pick up Deborah’s grandmother and Stan and Gerald,
two technicians.
Vocabulary
appalled imprinted mechanism materialistic betrayal
Tier Two Words
displays (of emotions) every nook and cranny exaggerating
Discussion Questions
1. Evaluate the use of Home World technology by Deborah’s family.
2. Create a summary of events up to this point with a partner or small group. May these out into a story
board. Share with the class.
3. Deborah willingly feeds on the group of college students. Do you think Deborah thinks about the
repercussions of her feeding on families and society?
Writing Connection
Third Person Narrative
Draw a picture of aliens of your own design in their native habitat on their planet. Then write a one
page scene that shows their customs and a bit of their culture. Try to include at least two or three
sentences or phrases in dialogue. Don’t use “I” to tell the story. Pretend you’re watching the scene and
just taking notes as to what you observe.
Chapter Six: Cruising the Casino
Summary: Grandmother has booked a room at the Lucky Nugget Casino. Virginia’s lucky streak
continues. George gets tickets to a Jimmy Joe Crawford concert and surprises her with them. Stan
and Gerald feed unwisely. Two FBI agents show up at the casino.
Vocabulary
Approximately resistance prototypes excels DNA
Tier Two Words
evidence zeroed in desperately applause made a killing
Discussion Questions
1. What type of problems could Virginia’s gambling cause?
2. Why is Virginia so worried that Deborah could ruin her future if she complains about having to marry
Gerald someday? Why do you think it’s important that Deborah and Gerald are of the same house?
3. Make a prediction about what will happen to the FBI agents.
Writing Connection
Descriptive Writing
Write a paragraph that describes a terrific meal. Be sure to use a lot of sensory details and
images. What does the table look like? How is it set? What does the food smell like? Look like?
Taste like? Can you use similes to help with your description? How do you feel after you’ve eaten?
What beverage goes best with your meal?
Chapter Seven: Mom Looses It
Summary: Virginia fools the FBI agents with DNA samples she’s obtained through her Avon business,
but she manages to lose all her winnings in a poker game. Deborah’s family finds Agent Mackenzie
comforting her. Back home, tension builds between Deborah and Alicia. Willy asks Deborah to join his
family on a trip to a ski park.
Vocabulary
carnage incredulous probability convert simultaneously
- relatives customers signature resources categories
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think “Never bet against the house” means?
2. Deborah finds out that something is being “prepared” for her in Nevada. What are your predictions
about what this might be?
3. What criteria would Deborah use to place her classmates either on the meat or vegetable lists? Jot
your ideas on a T-chart and share with the class.
Writing Connections
Response to Literature
Write a paragraph describing how the plot of HUNGRY might be different if Deborah wasn’t
sympathetic to humans.
Chapter Eight: Alley-Oops
Summary: Willy teaches Deborah how to snowboard, only to become jealous because Deborah has a
natural talent for the sport. George gets upset at Deborah for showing off on the half-pipe. In her
frustration, Deborah makes a life changing decision.
Vocabulary
conscience contemplated contradicting
Tier Two Vocabulary
got the hang of intersected restrictions
- 1. Deborah says her conscience told her she was being selfish for not holding back on the halfpipe.
Do you think she was selfish? Or do you disagree? Explain your answer.
2. If you had never eaten a regular human diet, what food would tempt you the most? What would you
want to eat first? Why would you choose this?
Writing Connections
Instructions
Think of something you do well. Are you a fast runner? Do you take care of animals? What subject
do you get good grades in? Do you cook? Are you good at sports? Board games? Cards?
Pretend you’re explaining how you do your activity from someone from another planet. Write a
numbered list of directions being as specific as possible as to what you do first, next, last. For
example, if you’re a good runner, is the first step lifting your heal off the ground? Or is there something
you might do before this, like picking out a good pair of shoes?
Chapter Nine: Forbidden Delights
Summary: Deborah buys M&Ms. Willy and Deborah continue to be upset at each other. When
Deborah gets home, she sends a snippy email to him. Deborah hears more hints about what awaits
her in Nevada. She eats the M&Ms and finds out they don’t bother her. At school, Willy gives all of his
attention to Alicia.
Vocabulary
expiring toxic imply peculiarities transmitting
Tier Two Words
natural (as in someone who does something easily) drama scientific
Discussion Questions
1. Explain why you think that Willy becomes upset with Deborah. Are there more reasons than
Margie’s explanation that he’s competitive?
2. Why do you think Amanda wants to be so much like Alicia?
3. What is attracting Alicia to Willy?
Writing Connection
Summary
Create a storyboard for each of the chapters so far. Draw what you think is the most important
scene in each chapter. Write a main idea to go with your pictures.
Chapter Ten: Bathroom Issues
Summary: Deborah begins to explore human food in earnest and enters into stage two of puberty:
Frequent Elimination Pattern. Alicia tells Deborah Willy’s a looser because his family lost at court.
Grandmother announces she’s taking Virginia, Stan, and Gerald to a Jimmy Joe Crawford concert for
New Year’s Eve. The Jones family finds out that the invasion will happen the same evening as the Math
Champs contest, and Willy tells Deborah that his parents are planning a horror movie festival on the
same date as well.
Vocabulary
alimentary canal voracious callous concentrated traditional
Tier Two Vocabulary
exploration minimum rehearsal
Discussion Questions
1. What conflicting feelings is Deborah having when she says, “My heart broke as I smiled back?”
(page 107)
2. Do you think it was hard for Willy to apologize to Deborah on page 108?
3. Deborah begins to eat meat in this chapter and can sense the essence of the pig in the pork loin
sandwich. What are your views on eating meat? Why would someone become a vegetarian?
4. What purpose for the plot is there for three big events to happen in the same night? (Math Champs,
Horror Fest, Invasion)
Writing Connection
Poetry/Lyrics
Work with a partner and write a stanza of a song using a tune you
know about:
1) the coming invasion
2) the relationship of Deborah, Willy, and Alicia
3) Mr. Bartlett’s teaching style
4) the topic of your choice that relates to the novel
or Resume
Pretend you are Alicia and write a resume for the job of Most Supreme Imperial High Matriarch.
What makes you suitable for the job?
Chapter Eleven: Supper at Sho-Sho-Pah
Summary: Grandmother creates a home world “beauty product” that sloughs off her and Virginia’s
overskins. After Jimmy Joe’s concert, Grandmother eats him and his bodyguard. With rumors of aliens
on the news, plans are made to get away to Nevada. Willy gives Deborah a chocolate kiss before she
leaves.
Vocabulary
jeopardy obstinate replenish speculate regenerate
Tier Two Vocabulary
council comparison identification
- 1. Why does Deborah enjoy eating pork so much?
2. Describe the complication Deborah’s Grandmother has created by eating Jimmy Joe?
3. Deborah was suspicious of Grandmother’s motives for taking Virginia to the concert. Why wasn’t
Virginia suspicious?
4. What does the chocolate Kiss symbolize?
Writing Connection
Descriptive Writing
Reread the description of Virginia’s face in the third and fourth paragraphs of page 117. Draw your
own alien without anyone else seeing, and then write a description using as many details as possible.
Hand in your pictures and descriptions without showing them to your classmates. Have your teacher
hang up the pictures and then pass out the descriptions. See if the person who has your description
can match it with the description you wrote.
Chapter Twelve: The Oasis
Summary: On the way to the Oasis Motel in Nevada, Deborah reveals to her parents that she has
eaten human food. She finds out that they have lied to her and that they’ve known human food won’t kill
their species. At the Oasis, Deborah finds out that the ritual she will go through is called a purgation,
but that’s all the information she gets.
Vocabulary
subjugate suppressing dilapidated metropolis bewilderment
Tier Two Vocabulary
horizon article (newspaper entry) interviewing spilled the beans
Discussion Questions
1. What are the reasons Deborah’s parents give her for not telling her the truth about eating? Do you
think these are the reasons they have?
2. On page 126 George compares human culture to the Home World’s. Do you agree or disagree
with what he says? Explain why you feel the way you do.
3. In terms of plot, why end this chapter with Agent Mackenzie saying that the announcement about
aliens was an “urban legend?”
Writing Connection
Setting
Create a setting on the home planet where the aliens you described in the writing exercise for
chapter eleven live. Instead of describing the whole planet, choose just one place, the alien’s home,
perhaps, or maybe its bedroom. Other ideas could be the place it likes to hunt or a city the alien lives
in. Use concrete details and sensory words so that others can visualize the place.
Chapter Thirteen: Don’t Be Too Afraid
Summary: Deborah works hard to speak the Home World language. Her family follows the news
about the murders. George tells Deborah not everyone comes back from their purgation.
Vocabulary
privileges dimension simulation hologram
Tier Two Vocabulary
leftovers pronunciation ordinary determined
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think Deborah still hopes to convince her parents to change Home World culture at this point
of the story?
2. How would you react to being told you might not come back from your purgation?
3. Do you think Deborah’s parents made a good decision to warn her about what was going to
happen?
- Character Development
Describe the most fearsome opponent you could imagine. Use details to show why he, she, or it
would be dangerous to confront. Do not include weapons in this description. Your opponent needs to
be naturally fearsome.Think outside the box. Could an opponent kill with beauty? Could one use strong
emotion to try to defeat you? Could one be dangerous and never touch you?
Chapter Fourteen: Purgation
Summary: Deborah enters the purgurator and finds herself in the Desolation Area of the Home World
where she battles Dog Girl.
Vocabulary
landforms counteracted sentient cavernous succession
Tier Two Vocabulary
appetite nutrients anthem
Discussion Questions
1. Why would Deborah be sent to danger in such an unemotional way?
2. What reasons do you think the Home World has for sending kids to their purgation on their twelfth
birthdays? Why twelve and not another age?
3. Deborah subdues Dog Girl with technology. What reasons might there be for Dog Girl not to have a
tendrilizer too?
4. Discuss what responsibilities Deborah might have now she’s an adult?
Writing Connection
Persuasive Essay
Write a letter to Her Supreme Imperial High Matriarch asking for her support to help 1) change the
Home World’s diet, 2) to not invade Earth, or 3) to stop the practice of purgation because it endangers
young people. Remember to address her possible objections to your proposal. Be sure your closure is
respectful and businesslike: Sincerely, With all respect, Your loyal subject, etc.
Chapter Fifteen: Essence of Home
Summary: Deborah and her family go home. They contact Agent Mackenzie, telling her they were on
vacation and hadn’t heard the news. Deborah goes to school one last time and discovers that Willy is
on the Math Champs team, and he and Alicia are “going together.” Grandmother sets it up with Margie
for Deborah to go to the Horror Fest after the math contest, and lets Deborah know what is expected of
her that night.
Vocabulary
vanquishing incredulously consequences implication
Tier Two Vocabulary
similar impressed loyalty
Discussion Questions
1. What did Willy have to do in order to get on the Math Champ team?
2. Why do you think Amanda told Deborah about Willy and Alicia?
3. Do you feel Deborah has a good reason for getting upset at Willy in this chapter?
4. Brainstorm ideas about why the Supreme Imperial High Matriarch has been keeping track of
Deborah.
Writing Connection
Problem/Solution
Deborah is faced with a serious problem at the end of this chapter. Think of a time you had problem
and successfully resolved it. Describe the situation and people involved. What things were in your
way? What steps did you take to fix the problem? What were the results?
Chapter Sixteen: Math Champs
Summary: Deborah makes a decision that gets her in trouble with everyone.
Vocabulary
itinerary thwart irrelevant consternation sentimentality
Tier Two Vocabulary
double-checking estimating hunch
Discussion Questions
1. What is your opinion of Deborah letting Willy win Math Champs? Is this different than the
“competition” snowboarding on the halfpipe? Why or why not?
2. Do you think Willy is justified for being upset when he learns that Deborah “let him win?”
Writing Connection
Across curriculum- math
Write a math word problem on one sheet of paper and the steps to solve it on another. Exchange
papers and try to answer each other’s problems.
Chapter Seventeen: Dbkrrrsh
Summary: At the horror festival, Deborah finally has Willy and Alicia at the end of her tentacles.
Vocabulary
fathoming designated vexed improvisation delectable
Tier Two Vocabulary
citizen portion sense of humor
Discussion Questions
1. How might Willy change now that he’s had success at both Math Champs and with getting more
recognition for his musical talent?
2. Discuss the different emotions Deborah goes through in this chapter.
3. If the invasion succeeds, will Deborah be happy? Explain your answer.
Writing Connection
Research
Choose one of the following movies and find out information about it with partners. You may find
your own movie as long as it was made before 1960. Take notes and make a brief oral report to class.
If possible, try to copy pictures for the movie poster or film itself to use in your presentation.
Frankenstein (1931), The Wolf Man (1941), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), I Was a Teenage
Werewolf (1957), Dracula (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Cat People (1942), Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde (1931), The Blob (1958)
Chapter Eighteen: Tentacles
Summary: Deborah discovers that not all of her species are bloodthirsty and makes her decision
whether to feed or not to feed. The invasion has unforeseen complications.
- propaganda programming typecasting
Tier Two Vocabulary
calories defense convince
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think made Deborah finally decide to retract her tentacles and not feed? Do you think
that Deborah’s tasting her own blood had something to do with it? If not, why did she finally listen to
Aunt Susan?
2. Will the resistance continue to be able to protect Earth?
3. What do you see as the major weakness of the Home Planet?
4. Make a prediction about Willy and Deborah’s relationship during the next year?
5. If you were Deborah and wanted to get your parents not to feed again, what would you do?
Writing Connection
First Person Narrative
Choose a character from Hungry that you’d like to “become.” Write about the next Halloween when
Deborah and Willy are in seventh grade. How would the story be different told from Deborah’s or Mr.
Bartlett’s point of view? Willy’s or Grandmother’s? Share your stories with the class.
Summary
Continue your storyboard and chapter summaries through chapters ten through eighteen. Using
your notes, write a summary for the novel. Be sure to include an introduction and a conclusion.
Teaching Guide
Allow time for downloading above