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Copyright 2001

Created by Brian Thornton
Click here for more information Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO

Phone: 705 672-5737

Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher
All Rights Reserved

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My Name is Paula Popowich!

Novel Study Guide

Monica Hughes

 

Answer all questions in sentence form.

Chapter One-- Marmalade Hair!

  1. Describe the opening scene in the book.
  2. Where did Paula's mother work?
  3. Why was Mrs. Herman in Edmonton?
  4. Who arrives unexpectedly at Paula's house?
  5. What miracle does Paula's mother perform?
  6. What interesting news has Mrs. Herman brought from Edmonton?

Vocabulary: bleached, generation, stony, goop, soggy, scrumptious, cannoli, tabby, strode, disown, briskly, calamine, slit, sterilized, luxuries, anchovies, carafe, pension, clients

Enrichment: Research different hair dyes to determine if they are a benefit or detriment to the health of your hair.  Report your findings to the class.

Prepare some cannoli and share them with your classmates.  Are they really scrumptious?

 

Chapter Two-- Goodbye Toronto!

  1. Who is the "burglar" in the Herman house that night?
  2. What causes Paula's stomach to feel as though it has just taken a ride in a highspeed elevator?
  3. What is the Great Mystery?
  4. Explain the real reason why Liza is late the last day of school.
  5. How does Paula know that her mother is serious about not taking extra belongings on their bus trip?
  6. Who came to see them off at the bus terminal?
  7. Why did Paula grab the front seats?

Vocabulary: pitch, antiques, miserable, prowling, tenant, renovate, scroll, sci-fi, refugee, bewildered, enviously, artificial, orchid, lapel, champagne, chrysalis

Enrichment: Pretend that one of your classmates is leaving.  If you were planning a going away party for them, what would be some of the essentials?

 

Chapter Three-- Edmonton, Here We Come!

  1. In an atlas locate the towns and cities mentioned in Paula's travel diary.
  2. Why was Paula initially disappointed with their new home?
  3. Describe the inside of their new house.
  4. Who was Cindy Tomchuk?
  5. Why is Paula surprised at her mother's new job?
  6. What difference did Paula notice between Toronto and Edmonton around bedtime?
  7. Why did Dan give a free sub to the girls?
  8. Why was Cindy definitely planning on attending the Heritage Days activities?
  9. Why did Paula's mom suddenly become angry at the end of the chapter?

Vocabulary: septic, grungy, stucco, ornaments, crocheted, clattered, Bavarian, mantelpiece, regretting, contradictory, courier, reciting, Ukrainians, immigration, kobasa, bluff, souvlaki, baklava, embroidered, saris, turbans

Enrichment: List as many immigrants as possible in the area where you live.  Which areas usually attract the most immigrants?  Explain why.

Research Ukrainian Easter eggs.  How did the tradition originate?  Invite someone into your classroom to demonstrate how to decorate Ukrainian Easter eggs.

Find out as much as possible about Ukrainian immigration in western Canada.  Make a presentation to your classmates.Try and include music and even dancing if possible.

Pretend that you are either Paula or her mother.  Obtain a job application form from a store or company.  Finally, fill out the form the way you think Paula or her mother would.  For Paula's mom it may be at a hairdresser or courier while for Paula it might be at a submarine restaurant or other type of fast food franchise.

 

Chapter Four-- The Face in the Attic

  1. Why does Paula go up to the attic?
  2. What does Paula find in the steamer trunk?
  3. Explain the significance of this chapter's title.
  4. What strange thing did Paula start to do after her mother had gone to bed?
  5. Why does Paula decide to purchase a diary?
  6. Why does Paula encourage her mother to visit the German club during the evening?

Vocabulary: spooky, flared, rungs, bedstead, gilt, crinolines, bustles, sashes, Charleston, repulsive, inlaid, sauerkraut, impulse

Enrichment: Monica Hughes did not become a successful author until she was much older.  Pretend that you are Monica Hughes and write a letter to a prospective publisher trying to convince the company why they should publish your new manuscript entitled My Name is Paula Popowich.

Write a poem about Paula and her discovery.

Pretend you are Paula and make some imaginary entries in her diary.  Share them with your classmates.

 

Chapter Five-- My Father, My Hero

  1. Why did Paula feel guilty when she thought about Liza?
  2. Why did Paula's mother want her to tidy up the house?
  3. Why is Paula surprised by her mother's new friend?
  4. What explanation does Paula give Cindy concerning her father's death?

Vocabulary: strict, grilled, scads, waltz, symphony, glamorous, spur, rushnyk, paska, tragedy

Enrichment: Have you ever told a lie?  What is a white lie?  Can a lie ever be justified?  Explain.  How can you tell when someone is lying to you?  Do you think your parents ever lie to you?  Make as long a list as possible with the reasons people might lie.

Pretend that you are Paula and write a letter to someone like Ann Landers requesting advice with your problems.  Have one of your classmates answer the letter.

 

Chapter Six-- Black Wednesday

  1. What does Dan say that upsets Paula?
  2. Why does Mrs. Kozak ask Paula to stay after school?
  3. What message was contained in the note that Paula found on the kitchen table?
  4. Explain what had really happened to Paula's father.
  5. How did Paula intend to resolve her problems?

Vocabulary: initial, blushed, sarcastically, virtues, impression, touchy, bawling, campaign, previous, zing, fault, soothing, apart, shrine, snit, ambled, jostled, cross-stitch, frantic, obstinately

Enrichment: Give a book talk to another class explaining why they should read this book.  Arouse their interest without giving away too much of the story.

 

Chapter Seven-- Runaway!

  1. Why did Paula decide to pack lightly?
  2. Why did Paula only take the bus as far as Calgary?
  3. Describe the young boy that gave Paula directions.
  4. Who caught Paula by the shoulders on the side of the Trans-Canada highway?
  5. Who was Miss Johnstone?
  6. Explain why Paula and her mother's dinner ended up in the garbage.
  7. Why do you think that Cindy wanted Paula to have lunch with her and the other girls?

Vocabulary: conspicuous, strolled, propping, trudged, defensive, schnitzels, veal, hesitated, advantage, guilt, mildest, sensible

Enrichment: Have you ever thought about solving your problems by running away?  Where do you think you might run to?  Discuss other alternatives as to how one can deal with their problems.  Why is it difficult for young people to deal with conflicts?  List advantages and disadvantages that adults have when faced with difficult problems.  What problems do you face on a daily basis that adults seldom encounter?

Pretend that Paula Herman is your friend and that she has just invited you for pizza.  What are some of the questions you might like to ask her?  What advice might you give her?

 

Chapter Eight-- Paula, P.I.

  1. Why did the girls arrange for Paula to sit on the inside of the booth?
  2. How did Cindy suggest they find Paula's father?
  3. Explain the significance of the title of this chapter.
  4. Why does the plump white-haired woman ask Paula when she was born?
  5. What sad news does Olga Popowich have for her granddaughter?
  6. According to Olga Popowich, why is it important to know who you are?

Vocabulary: bolt, fantasy, deserted, lopsided, wad, divvy, romantic, react, spooky, scolded, missionary, quoting, stammered, blaring, boulevard, plump, turnovers, quarrelled

Enrichment: Research how you could become a private investigator.  Do you think you would like the job?  Explain.

Write an imaginary scene which includes an animated conversation between Paula and her mother.  Select two of your classmates to act out the drama in front of the class.  Make sure they practise their lines first.

 

Chapter Nine-- Christmas in January

  1. Why is Mrs. Herman reluctant to allow Paula to take Ukrainian dancing lessons?
  2. What does Paula give to her grandmother for Christmas?
  3. According to grandmother, what special event took place on January 7th?
  4. Why did Paula's mother start to bake "like mad" at the end of January?

Vocabulary: pysanki, minority, spat, prying, wilted, ethnic, downfill, linzertorte, meekly, snickered, sheaf, apostles, halo, virtuously, aggravated, trundled, hovered, epidemic

Enrichment: Research Ukrainian culture and history and then once you become an "expert", field questions from your classmates.  Remember to research the history of Ukrainians both in Canada and the Ukraine.

Read some of the book reviews in your local newspaper.  Write your own book review of this novel and send it to the local newspaper.

Write a letter to a friend in an attempt to persuade them to read the novel.

Research the various calendars used and why changes were made.  Make a report to your classmates.

 

Chapter Ten-- The Crazy Pysanka

  1. Describe what happens to Paula's mother.
  2. Who does Paula turn to for help?
  3. What is the doctor's diagnosis?
  4. Who offers to look after Paula?
  5. Explain why Paula's relationship with Hans is changing.
  6. Explain the significance of the Easter egg that Paula gave to her mother.

Vocabulary: camomile, blotchy, pneumonia, dreading, pride, dye, Lent, shabby, vigil, flustered, oval, elaborate

Enrichment: Research how to say, "I love you" in as many languages as possible.  After completing your list have your teacher photocopy and distribute it to your classmates.

Make a timeline of all the events in your book.

Write a different ending for the story.  Compare the different endings that your classmates have written and vote on everyone's favourite.

Write a one page summary of the story.

 

Copyright 2001


Created by:
Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA POJ 1KO

Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved