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Freaky
Fast Frankie Joe Twelve-year-old Frankie Joe felt secure in the trailer park in Laredo, even after his mom went to jail. He had friends like Mr. Lopez, the "house artist" who let Frankie name the new colors of paint he created. Mrs. Jones, a retired librarian, lived just next door. She enjoyed his company and loved reading her adventure books to him. A couple of trailers down lived Mr. O'Hare who was old. But when he was young, he was a United States Air Force mechanic. He had seen the world, but he never got married. Frankie knew that Mr. O'Hare thought of him as the grandson he never got to have. Together they spent hours in the Chihuahua desert behind the trailer park looking for remnants of space rock from the meteor that broke up there. Frankie Joe was happy, but he was too young to stay by himself for long. That's when Frankie Joe's life changed. His father whom he had never met drove from Illinois to pick him up to live with him and his new family "temporarily" until his mother got out of jail. It was the "temporarily" that made life bearable there for Frankie Joe. Intent on teaching his oldest son "responsibility," he incorporates daily lessons and family chores. His four younger (legitimate) half-brothers had their places in the family, but they weren't so sure that Frankie Joe belonged. Matt, the oldest of the four, was determined to make life miserable for Frankie Joe, and the others joined in the bullying. When life became unbearable, he made plans to ride 1400 miles back to Laredo on his old second-hand ten-speed bicycle to be there at the trailer when his mom came home. His plans would cost money, so Frankie became an entrepreneur, delivering pizzas on his bike to the farm families. His plans did not take into consideration the unpredictable changing weather or his equally unpredictable new family. Freaky Fast Frankie Joe by Lutricia Clifton is terrific realistic family fiction that keeps the reader turning pages to see how Frankie Joe will fare in his new family. Will his four brothers come to respect and empathize with Frankie Joe or will they drive him away? The brothers' bullying opens up an important path to readers learning empathy or compassion, the trait upon which all other character traits are built. The Kids Wings literature guide and Jeopardy-type game provide beautifully planned curriculum that leads to the development of character, academic skills, teambuilding, and guarantees thoughtful social interaction and exciting academic growth for every classroom. Activities for handling bullying and celebrating perseverance and patience are incorporated. Freaky Fast Frankie Joe is an essential part of every home and school library. You will want this Kids Wings literature guide PLUS a class set of this terrific novel! Research
Links for Bullying:
Teens--
Kids -- Parents
-- Educators
-- CyberBullying Crossword Puzzle: Laredo to Illinois (PDF Corrections) Math Playground! For fun and skill-building Scan-Tron Bubblesheet Generator Kids
Wings Quotes to memorize: "To laugh at a man of sense is the privilege of fools." "A
handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains." Dutch
proverb Be
studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious
and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will
be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy. At least,
you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such consequences.
There is no character, regardless how good and fine, that cannot be destroyed by ridicule, even that which is poor and witless. Mark Twain ------------------------------------------------------------------ The
50-page Kids Wings Literature Guide includes a 50-slide Interactive
Jeopardy-type game, perfect for lesson plans, handouts, or projection
on your SmartBoard for Freaky
Fast Frankie Joe.
Available NOW! Freaky
Fast Frankie Joe
is one of the 27 units in the Kids Wings
More
Related Award-Winning Novels about Families Because
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Award-Winning Books for 2013-2014 Your purchases through the Kids Wings and Amazon Links help to keep our website doors open! Disclaimer: The links here have been scrutinized for their grade and age appropriateness; however, contents of links on the World Wide Web change continuously. It is advisable that teachers and parents review all links before allowing student use. Please contact us immediately if you find any inappropriate links. Contact Us Home Bookstore Integrated Curriculum Build Character Order Kids' Wings Printed Clearance Materials
Disclaimer: The links here have been scrutinized for their grade and age appropriateness; however, contents of links on the World Wide Web change continuously. It is advisable that teachers and parents review all links before allowing student use. Please contact us immediately if you find any inappropriate links.
Disclaimer: Texas Bluebonnet AwardSM is a service mark of the Texas Library Association, which is in no way affiliated with Kids' Wings or Suzy Red. Use of the Texas Bluebonnet Award mark in these materials does not imply any endorsement of any kind on behalf of the Texas Library Association. The Texas Bluebonnet Book Master ListSM was selected by the Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee of the Texas Library Association.
©
2013, Suzy Red, Lockhart, Texas
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