Chapter+15

**Pre-Reading Activity/Question:**
When Hope sees her mom at the diner counter, she describes "feeling a primal pull to the woman who gave me life and no connection to her whatsoever." What do you think this means?

**Vocabulary:**
primal (p. 138) passive-aggressive behavior (p. 139) absurd (p. 140) sashay (p. 144)

**Reading Lesson Topics:**
Remind students that we looked at conflicts from two different sides in chapter 13. This activity will extend that and students will rewrite a scene from another character's perspective. In Chapter 15, Hope is obviously upset at seeing her mother. Braverman helps her by giving her a red clown nose to wear, and her mother begins to see her differently. Rewrite the scene from Braverman's point of view or from Deena's point of view. Use one of the conflicts from Chapter 13 as your model.
 * "Flip" the Conflict:**

**Writing Activities:**
Hope says that waitressing teaches her what it takes to make a difference in other people's lives because she has to think about other people more than herself. Do you think Deena thinks the same way about waitressing? Use details from the story to support your answer.


 * "Journal" Prompts:**


 * In this chapter, Hope sees her mother, Deena, for the first time in more than 3 years. Deena behaves rather strangely considering she is seeing her daughter after such a long period of time. Why do you believe Deena acts this way toward Hope?
 * How does the clown's nose help Hope cope with her mother's visit?
 * Hope says that she wishes her mother could treat her as well as she treats her customers. What does Hope when she says this? In what way does Deena treat her customers better than her own daughter?