Vicious – Ferocious, unpleasantly severe Retaliated- Get revenge, pay back for wrong

doing. Heave – Rise up or swell; bulge; lift Subdued – quiet, repressed, controlled Billowing – Moving in a rolling, swelling

motion Dilapidated – Ruined or decayed from age,

wear, or neglect. Rigid – stiff inflexible; hard Adjourn – suspend a meeting Vehemently – Strong, violently, with forceful

expression of emotion or belief Brooded – was in deep thought; focused

attention on one subject persistently

Disintegrated – breaking up; falling apart Reverence – feeling or attitude of deep respect Prominence – position of being immediately

noticeable Astride – one leg on either side of Infraction – violation; breech Calisthenics – exercise to build muscle Trounced – beat severely Unprecedented – never before known or done Perimeter – a border or boundary Intervened – came between to help

Write two sentences with each vocabulary word.

Write each vocabulary word and definition and illustrate each vocabulary word meaning with a picture.

Write each vocabulary word and two synonyms from a thesaurus or dictionary.

Complete the vocabulary crossword 1A.

Why do you think the author included the Out of Focus section at the beginning of the book?

Prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information.

On page four Paul’s mom says, “You know you can’t see very well.”

We can read his thoughts saying, “But I can see. I can see everything. I see things Mom and Dad can’t. or won’t.”

He seems resentful of his parents attention to Erik’s football career.

He does not think Erik is a kind person and refers to him as “phony”

It goes alright. He meets a few people, but h is not happy about having to have an IEP. He is also looking forward to trying out for the soccer team.

Before they plowed over all the Tangerine grove, the spot where that house was built was the highest, and the lightning keeps striking in that same spot even though the highest tree is no longer there.

He is very shallow and self absorbed. He does not care about anything, even death, that does not have to do with him.

Obliged – Required; bonded Exploits – Outstanding events in which a person

puts his or her strong points to the best advantage Horticulture – The science or art of cultivating or

growing plants Solemnly – Seriously; in a somber manner Archenemy – Main enemy Comprehend – Understand Ghoulish – Strangely cruel or monstrous Capsizing – Turning or flipping over Receding – Becoming more distant Affidavits – Written statements made under oath

He was late and he could not do anything about the muck fire.

What does this tell you about her personality?

She is impatient and likes to be in control of situations. She does not tolerate disorganization very well.

He wears them when he plays soccer because they are practically indestructible.

Erik is good enough to be noticed and get a college scholarship, and Dad always regretted not playing football in college. He is sort of living vicariously through Erik.

A bird of prey

A Japanese carp that looks like a giant goldfish.

He gets kicked off the team because he has an IEP and the insurance that covers the team will not cover a handicapped student.

She want to change the time that the football team practices because of Mike Costello getting struck by lightning and dying.

Mrs. Fisher or Coach Warner

They are engulfed by a sinkhole.

Charley Burns was not getting the land inspected before developers built on it.

Why?He was being bribed with racing

tickets and football skyboxes.

A split schedule at LWMSTransfer to Tangerine Middle School

He appeals to her emotions by telling her that she ruined his life at LWMS by filling out the IEP, and now she can make it up to him by letting him attend TMS without an IEP.

He want to play soccer, and he cannot play at LWMS. Maybe he has a chance to play for a school if he transfers to a different school.

They are serious about soccer and play well as a team. They think of their teammates as family and support each other on and off the field.

The Erik Fisher Football Dream is Mr. Fisher’s dream for Erik to be a famous place kicker in college and maybe in the NFL. Remember that he is so into Erik’s football career because he regrets not having played football while he was in college.

Paul – Main character; narrator; Eric’s brother; soccer player, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s son

Erik – “Part of the Erik Fisher Football Dream;”Football player; Paul’s brother; place-kicker

Mr. Fisher & Mrs. Fisher – Paul and Erik’s mom and dad

Mike Costello –Died from the lightening on the Football field

Arthur – another football player; Erik’s friend; drives a Land Cruiser; made fun of Mike with Erik

Mr. Walski – 8th grade teacher; coached the LWMS soccer team

Joey – Mike Costello’s little brotherCoach Warner – Football Coach of the

Seagulls –Lake Windsor High; met with Mrs. Fisher to discuss practice times

Victor – Captain of the TMS War Eagles

Theresa Cruz – Guides Paul on his first day at TMS

Hernando – Student; soccer player at TMS

Shandra Thomas – the starting goalie on TMS’s soccer team

Betty Bright – the TMS soccer coach

Tino – Theresa’s brother; he is on the TMS soccer team