Teacher's Guides

	For a printable pdf version of the WILDFIRE RUN guide, which also includes writing and vocabulary exercises:
	click here
	For a printable pdf version of the WOLF STORM guide, which also includes a vocabulary exercise:
	click here

	WILDFIRE RUN SYNOPSIS
	WILDFIRE RUN is a story about testing the limits of bravery, taking responsibility for others, and overcoming adversity. Luke Brockett, the twelve-year-old son of the President, is at Camp David with his best friend, Theo, for what Luke’s mother calls ‘summer camp’, because Luke isn’t allowed to go a real summer camp. Luke has a whole team of Secret Service agents to protect him, but two of them are like his family. One, Adam Martens, is the agent closest to him, and the other, Sal Rossi, is the head of Luke’s security. Luke has been surrounded by Secret Service agents for years, and has never been allowed to do anything even slightly challenging or dangerous.             Small for his age and uneasy in his role as the President’s son, Luke is confident about only a few of his talents. He is good with computers, as is Theo. Luke can also climb any tree, and he can build almost any kind of gadget. The First Lady has arranged for the arrival of a third ‘camper’, Callie Lansa. Callie and Luke used to be friends, but time and circumstances have pulled them apart.               A major earthquake strikes Missouri, causing tremors all the way to the east coast, and triggering a fire in the woodlands around Camp David. An evacuation is ordered. On the way out a herd of deer, panicked by the fire, cause the car Luke and his friends are in to crash into the gatehouse. The car hits the gate closing mechanism, and the gate of the electric fence shuts. The gatehouse collapses on the car, injuring Adam. Another agent tries to open the gate, but receives a serious electrical shock from the damaged mechanism.             Luke, Theo and Callie suffer only minor injuries. Sal, outside the gate, is frantic Luke is inside without agents to help him. He calls for a rescue helicopter. Before it can arrive, the fire closes in behind Sal. Luke knows Sal will never leave him alone, even if trapped by the fire, so Luke takes matters into his own hands. Luke must figure out a way to save himself, his friends and Adam, the injured Secret Service agent. While he uses his ingenuity to try to escape, Luke must also come to terms with his own fears, and learn the limits of bravery.

	WILDFIRE RUN Discussion Questions
	Chapter 1 The story is based on the idea that a natural disaster can cause many more problems than just the initial damage. What are all the things that can happen from an earthquake?   Chapter 2 Luke’s dog, Comet, is acting strangely because he senses something is wrong before it happens. Do you think animals can do this? Which animals? How do they know?   Chapter 3 In this chapter, a small mistake leads to a big problem. Can you think of other cases where that might also happen?   Chapter 4 Even though Luke is the main character, this story is written from several different characters’ points of view. Why do you think the author chose to do this?   Chapter 5 Why is Luke so afraid of the sirens? Is there something you are afraid of even though people say you shouldn’t be?   Luke’s father is so busy that his lunches with Luke are scheduled by an assistant. How would you feel if you couldn’t see your parents or caregivers without someone else putting you on the calendar?   Chapter 6 What do you think is going to happen when enough water leaks out of the pool?   Chapter 7 What saying does Luke’s father like in times of crisis? What does it mean?   How would you feel if Secret Service agents came to school with you?   Chapter 8 The author is using something called personification in this chapter. What is she personifying? Can you find some phrases that show this? Chapter 9  Callie’s father is afraid she won’t fit in at her new school if she wears her cowboy boots. What do you think about people judging other people by the clothes they wear?   What would you have done with the kitten if you had been in Callie’s place?   Chapter 10  Since animals haven’t been taught about fire, what is it called when an animal reacts to an event?   Chapter 11  Both Luke and Callie remember what happened with Callie’s horse, Hania, when Luke was last at the ranch, but they don’t remember it the same way. How do their memories differ?   Why do you think Luke wants to know as much as he can about the security systems at Camp David?   Chapter 12 Callie has mixed feelings about her friendship with Luke. What are some of the emotions she feels?   Chapter 13 Even though Luke’s father is the President, he doesn’t make all the decisions about Luke. Why do you think he doesn’t?   Chapter 14 Luke and Theo have very different personalities. How would you describe each?   Have you ever been friends with someone who is very different from you?   Chapter 15 How does Luke’s father view Theo? What do you think Luke feels about that?   Why does Luke’s father always say ‘make haste slowly’ to Luke?   Chapter 16 Why do you think the kitten is so important to Callie?   Chapter 17 List some of the things that Luke and Callie say to each other or to Theo that hurt their friendship.    Chapter 18 List the series of events that lead to the accident.   Chapter 19 People react in different ways to emergencies. Do you think Isabelle is as calm as she seems?   Chapter 20 How do you think you would react to a serious emergency?   Chapter 21 The title of this chapter is ‘The Quagmire’.  A quagmire can be defined as a difficult predicament. What is the predicament in this chapter?   Chapter 22 Callie points out that people usually call 911 in an emergency. Why doesn’t Luke think of this?   Chapter 23 People react in many different ways to disasters. How do Luke and Callie’s reactions to the helicopter crash differ? Why do you think they have the reactions they do?   Chapter 24 Why is Luke so angry at his father?   What do you think of Luke’s plan to get through the defense system? Can you think of another way?   Chapter 25 Theo doesn’t want to stay behind even though he knows he might get hurt going forward. Why does he make that choice? What would you do in his situation?   Chapter 26 Why do you think Luke, Callie and Theo take the time to try to save the kitten?   Chapter 27 Luke, Callie and Theo have trouble getting through the security systems into the building. How would you design a secure building?   Chapter 28 Why does Callie get angry with Luke and Theo? Which of the three characters are you most like?   Chapter 29 What is Luke’s new motto? Why does he make one up?   Chapter 30 Why do Callie and Theo disagree with Luke on what to do about Adam? Chapter 31 Luke's knowledge of gravity helps his plan work. How does he take advantage of the principle of gravity?   Chapter 32 Why does Luke insist on being the last one up?   Chapter 33 Why is Luke “not feeling much of anything” at the beginning of this chapter? How do you think you would feel after going through the same situation?

	WOLF STORM SYNOPSIS
	WOLF STORM is a story of survival against the odds, friendship, and how people of very different personalities can find common ground to work together. Stefan Andris, a boy without acting experience, from a family overburdened by financial difficulties, has been cast in a lead role in a major movie. Working on location in a remote mountainous region of Europe, he is struggling to learn the basics of acting, knowing the job is important to his family. Excited to be working with the trained wolves on set, he hopes he can do the job, even though after a disastrous first day, he fears he will be fired instead.    Stefan’s costar, a famous young actress named Raine Randolph, does not want to work with him at all, thinking he is far too inexperienced to carry off the role as her brother. Raine has burdens of her own, including a mother who is far more concerned about the wealth Raine’s work brings to her than her own daughter’s interests.   When a blizzard isolates Stefan and Raine, along with a nine-year-old named Jeremy who is playing their younger brother, and an elderly actor with health problems, the four have to find a way to get along until help arrives. The situation worsens after an avalanche destroys the lodge where the group is staying, and the actors must find a way to survive the cold, their own lack of experience in the wild, and the presence of wild wolves who are determined to get rid of the tame wolves invading their territory. Interwoven in the story are details of wolf behavior, and questions about the role of people in domesticating wild animals.

	WOLF STORM Discussion Questions
	Chapter 1 In chapter one, could you imagine this scene from the one paragraph description? Even though the author doesn't say what kind of creatures she's writing about, can you guess what they are? Chapter 2 If you were in Stefan's place, acting for the first time, being a long way from home, and being without your family, which one would be hardest for you? Chapter 3 What do you learn about wolf behavior in this chapter? Chapter 4 Do you think it was right that Stefan didn't explain how the accident with Inky happened? What would you have done? Chapter 5 How do you feel about the wolf in this chapter? Are you sympathetic toward him? Scared of him? Chapter 6 Brad talks about wolf behavior in the wild. What behaviors do you think the trained wolves still have that are like wild wolves? Chapter 7 What do you think of Raine's behavior in this chapter? Chapter 8 Why aren't Raine and Stefan getting along in this chapter? What do you think of Cecil? Chapter 9 Why does Stefan have a hard time deciding what to do about the wolves in the trailer? Chapter 10 Raine is very dramatic in this chapter. Do you think that's part of her personality or is she just pretending because she is an actor? Chapter 11 At thirteen years old, Raine is both successful and wealthy. What parts of her life do you think are not so happy? Chapter 12 Raine had a terrible choice to make between her dog and Jeremy and she only had a second to make it. Do you think she would have made a different decision if there had been more time? Chapter 13 Stefan is discouraged by his mistakes, but when the situation gets serious, what abilities and skills does he have that help everyone survive? Chapter 14 Everyone has become very dependent on cell phones. Can you imagine a world without cell phones? How would things change? Chapter 15 People react very differently to emergencies. How are each of the characters in the story reacting? Do their reactions fit what you know of their personalities so far? Chapter 16 While dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, wolves are still essentially wild animals. Do you think it is right that some wolves are trained to act like dogs? Chapter 17 Raine, more than Stefan, seems to believe what she reads in stories.  Do you find yourself sometimes wishing stories were real? Chapter 18 Raine and Stefan start out the story misjudging each other and Cecil. As the story progresses, they learn they shouldn't rely on first impressions. Do you think this is common? Have you ever met someone you didn't like at first, only to discover later you did? Chapter 19 Stefan decides it's time to take action in this chapter. What would you have done in his place? Chapter 20 How did you feel about what happens to Natasha? Why do you think the author wrote the scene this way? Epilogue Do you think Stefan will go on wanting to make movies after this? Would you? Just for fun If you had a chance to act in a movie, what kind of movie would you like it to be? Where would you like it to be filmed?