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brilliantconfi dencesatisfi edsymbol

territory

Lesson

29Desert weather is extreme. The

summer sun’s

light can make temperatures reach

130 degrees. Winter temperatures may

drop to freezing.

Hikers in the desert often wear long

sleeves. It may seem like a bad idea, but it

is not. The fabric can protect their skin. It

can also keep them from losing too much

water from their bodies.

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Desert animals are used to the heat

and cold. They rest in the shade by day

and hunt the

for food at night. People may not be

with leaving

home only at night. Desert animals, though,

have to do it to survive.

Joshua trees grow only in America’s

Mojave Desert. So if you see one, you can

have that you

are in the Mojave!

The old silver mines in the Mojave closed

down years ago. Everyone soon left the

towns. Today, we call these empty towns

ghost towns. They have become a

of the old West.

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“We’re in the Mojave Desert now,” Dad said. “Jodi, keep your camera ready for great shots!”

We were on our way to visit my cousins in California. Dad had chosen to drive through the desert, which was unfamiliar territory to us.

I had seen pictures of the Mojave’s symbol, the Joshua tree, in a guide book. Now, I could take my own! I snapped shots of the tree through the car window. “I love the desert,” I said.

“We knew you’d like it,” said Mom. “That’s why we decided to go this way.”

Why is the family driving through the desert?

STORY STRUCTURE

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All of a sudden, the car made a funny noise. It rolled to a stop. “Oh, no!” Dad said. “Don’t worry. I’ll check it out.”

He slowly lifted the car hood. There was a cloud of steam! “You two go take pictures,” he said. “I should have this up and running in no time.”

I took a picture of a cactus. The brilliant desert sun beat down on me. “It’s really hot, Mom!” I said. “How do these plants survive?”

VOCABULARYVOCABULARY

How does the brilliant desert sun make Jodi feel?

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“They adapt,” said Mom. “A desert doesn’t get much rain. So, a cactus soaks up water when it does rain. The cactus’s thick, waxy outside holds the water in. Then the plant can use it later.”

“I hope Dad knows as much about cars as you do about plants,” I laughed.

“Let’s see how he’s doing,” Mom said.We walked back to the car. Dad seemed to

have lost his confi dence. “I can’t get the car to start,” he said. “We’d better call for help.”

How does the waxy outside of a cactus help the plant?

CITE TEXT EVIDENCE

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Mom tried her cell phone. There was no signal. “What do we do now?” I asked.

“We just hope that someone comes along,” Mom replied.

“What if no one comes?” I asked. “We’re pretty far off the main road.”

Dad smiled, “Don’t worry, Jodi. We’ll be fi ne.”“I’m so thirsty,” I said. Mom got out a bottle of water, and we all

had a drink. Still the sun beat down, hotter and hotter. “I have an idea,” Dad said.

UNDERSTANDING CHARACTERS

How does Jodi feel about being stuck in the desert?

Explain.

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Dad took blankets from the trunk. He hung one between two cactus plants. “This will give us some shade,” he said, satisfi ed with his work. He put the other blanket on the ground. We sat down.

Hours went by, but no cars came. “Can we eat our sandwiches now?” I asked.

“Eating will only make you thirstier,” Mom said. “It’s better to just sit in the shade and stay still.”

Why is Dad satisfi ed with his work?

VOCABULARY

288

Soon the sun vanished behind a hill. The night air was colder. “I was hot before and now I’m cold!” I said. “Is it always like this?”

“Yes,” Dad said. “Deserts are hot by day and cold by night. We should get back in the car.”

Dad grabbed the blankets and we got into the car. I curled up on the back seat. Just then, I heard a howl. “What’s that?” I asked.

“Just a coyote,” Dad said. “Most desert animals come out at night when it’s cooler.”

CONCLUSIONS AND GENERALIZATIONS

Why do most desert animals come out at night?

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I guess I fell asleep. The next thing I remember, a police offi cer knocked on our car window. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Dad explained what had happened. The offi cer called for help. As we waited, I snapped shots of jackrabbits, lizards, and kangaroo rats in the early morning light. I knew they would disappear into shady spots when the sun got too hot.

I was almost sad we would soon be leaving the desert. I’d learned how to adapt to desert life just like the plants and animals that live there!

Does Jodi enjoy her night in the desert? Explain.

UNDERSTANDING CHARACTERSUNDERSTANDING CHARACTERS

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How does Jodi feel when she fi rst sees

the Mojave Desert?

How is a cactus adapted to survive with

very little rain?

How would you describe Jodi’s mother?

What does Jodi learn in the story?

Hint

For a clue, see page 284.

Hint

For clues, see pages 285 and 286.

Hint

For clues, see pages 284, 286, and 288.

Hint

For a clue, see page 290.

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