Cara Pinti - Plot Pitch for Week 9
Jake is a troubled teenager who struggles socially and
academically. After several big
issues at school, his parents decide to send him to Iowa to spend the summer
with his grandparents on the family farm.
Jake is hesitant to go but decides to make the best of
it. While in Iowa he learns the
benefits of hard work and dedication and develops a love for the land he
works. His grandparents are
pleased with his progress and decide take Jake to visit historic and points of
interest in the state of Iowa.
Through this experience Jake feels drawn to the life of a
farmer. He returns to his home to finish school and decides to attend college
in Iowa where he learns more about the farming industry. After graduation he remains in the
state he has grown to love, farming with his grandfather.
Rough Draft: Where the Heart Calls
Activity Guide:
What evidence do the images present as far as the state of Iowa and the sites to behold there? After viewing the images, is it conclusive to say that Jake found solace as well as satisfaction in the heartland where the fields of corn flow freely? Do the images portray a sense of peace and tranquility or any other mood as it relates to the text? What do the colors of the images relay to you about the mood of the story?
Activity Guide:
ACTIVITY GUIDE for WHERE CALLS
THE HEART
SUMMARY
Jake is a troubled teenager who struggles to gain acceptance
among his peers. His grades are
poor and he has been expelled from school on several occasions. Jake’s parents decided to send him to
Iowa to live with his grandparents on the family farm for the summer. Their intent is for Jake to learn what
hard work and dedication can accomplish and how to respect those around
him. He travels to Iowa and works
diligently on the farm with his grandfather while learning responsibility and
hard work. His parents want to
show him a glimpse of his heritage in Iowa and reward his effort with weekend
trips to visit some of the historical points of interest in Iowa. Jake finds himself “home” and later
returns to Iowa to attend college and finally farm with his grandfather.
ILLUSTRATIONS/IMAGES
What evidence do the images present as far as the state of Iowa and the sites to behold there? After viewing the images, is it conclusive to say that Jake found solace as well as satisfaction in the heartland where the fields of corn flow freely? Do the images portray a sense of peace and tranquility or any other mood as it relates to the text? What do the colors of the images relay to you about the mood of the story?
FINDING DETAILS
Looking at the images and text in the book, can you find
examples of metonymy? Metaphor? Simile?
Explain how these examples are used to support and/or progress the
story. For example, the rolling fields of corn and serenity of the
fields emulate peace and tranquility. This is what Jake finds when he is
struggling within himself and he visits his grandparents and works the land
they farm.
VOCABULARY
What is the level of the reading text? Is there more
advanced vocabulary that helps to develop the story for a higher level of
reader? Make a list of words that may need further study to enhance
your understanding. Does the
vocabulary used intrigue you, the reader to investigate more about Iowa? The
sites? And the History that is found in Iowa?
EXTENDING THE
TEXT/EXPANDING UPON THE STORY
Reflect upon the lessons learned by Jake as he went to Iowa
to work. Have you ever learned
lessons through hard work and effort? Were they difficult lessons to learn and
how did you cope with the challenges?
Sometimes images in a book compliment or match the story or
text. Give an example of a page
where this occurs. How does it
influence a deeper meaning of the lessons learned for Jake and the adventures
that were done while in Iowa? Are there any images that seem confusing to the
story or do not match the text?
Explain why they are confusing and what might enhance the image or the
text to change it.
EXPANDING UPON THE
STORY
What do you think Jake thought when his parents sent him to
Iowa? What do you think happened in the story for Jake’s perspective on life to
change and him to recognize responsibility? Think of Jake’s return to his home where his parents were
amazed to see the transformation that had occurred while he was in Iowa. How do
you imagine the conversation unfolded between his parents and him upon his
return? What were his parents’
reactions to Jake’s return? Do you
think they felt they had chosen the best solution to Jake’s problems at school?
RELATED BOOKS
Green, John. Looking for Alaska. Speak, 2006 ISBN 0142402516
Harris, Alex & Harris, Brett. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low
Expectations. The Double Day
Religious Publishing Group, 2008 ISBN 9781601421616
Nolan, Han. Dancing on the Edge. Harcourt, 2007 ISBN 0152058842
Nolan, Han. Pregnant Pause. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012 ISBN
0547854145
Pierce, Patricia A.
H is for Hawkeye: An Iowa Alphabet. Sleeping Bear Press, 2003 1585361144