The Gollywhopper Games
Bibliographic
Information
Feldman, Jody. The Gollywhopper Games. Greenwillow
Books, 2008.
Plot Description
All sixth grader 6th grader Gil Goodson wants
is to win the Gollywhopper Games. His dad was arrested for stealing money from
Golly Toy and Game Company where he was a vice president. Even though Gil’s dad
was found not guilty; Gil is picked on and shunned in school. His dad said that
if Gil can win the Gollywhopper Games they can move. Gil waits in line
overnight and is one of forty-five hundred kids in line that is guaranteed
admission. While waiting in line Gil meets Bianca, a fifteen year old girl that
wants to be a model. Together they begin playing the Gollywhopper Games. Even
though others are cheating, Gil and Bianca play fair. All they want is to win
the game. For Gil it means a new beginning in a town where no one knows about
what happened with his dad. Will Gil be able to outsmart and out play all of
the other kids to win the Gollywhopper Games?
Quantitative Reading
Level
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 6.8
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease: 72.7
ATOS Level: 8.0
Qualitative Reading
Level
Meaning: Middle Low. Text contains single layer of complex
meaning.
Structure: Middle Low. The narrative structure is largely
simple, more explicit than implicit and is largely conventional. Narration does
not shift in point of view. The use of flashbacks is used but there are no
major shifts in time.
Language: Middle Low: Text contains subtle use of figurative
language or irony. The language is largely contemporary, familiar,
conversational language that is explicit. The text is rarely unfamiliar,
archaic, domain-specific or overly academic.
Knowledge Demands: Middle Low. Explores a single complex
theme, experiences portrayed are common to many readers. The use of
intertexuality and allusions to cultural elements requires some level of
cultural and literacy knowledge. The text requires some cultural/literary knowledge;
there are few references to other texts.
Content Area
English
Subject Area Tag
English, Reading for Pleasure: Chapter Books, Middle School
or High School
Content Area Standard
New York State Content Area Standard (Grades K-5)
1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly
and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when
writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze
their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
3. Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas
develop and interact over the course of a text.
4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and
analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
5. Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific
sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section,
chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content
and style of a text.
7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media
and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
9. Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics
in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
10. Read and comprehend complex literary and informational
texts independently and proficiently.
11. Respond to literature by employing knowledge of literary
language, textual features, and forms to read and comprehend, reflect upon, and
interpret literary texts from a variety of genres and a wide spectrum of
American and world cultures.
Curriculum
Suggestions
- Use as pleasure reading recommendation
- Compare to other books: hero quest
Links to Supporting
Digital Content
Book website
Author website
Dorothy Canfield Award
Optional:
This book was recommended by the
children’s librarian at my local library because it was one of the finalists
for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award (2010). Since 1956
Vermont children have voted for their favorite book in a program designed to
help them become enthusiastic readers and to honor Vermont author Dorothy
Canfield Fisher. It is the second oldest child-selected book award in the
country.
*photo obtained from Goodreads
*photo obtained from Goodreads
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