99 pages 3 hours read

Andrew Clements

The School Story

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2001

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. What is the name of Natalie’s book?

2. What does Natalie choose as her pseudonym?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What made Natalie decide to talk to her mother more?

2. Why did Natalie hide some of her books after her father’s death?

3. Why doesn’t Natalie want to choose a pen name at first?

Paired Resource

Famous Authors and Their Pen Names

  • This article covers several famous authors who used pseudonyms and their reasons for doing so.
  • This resource relates to the Honesty Versus Deceit theme.
  • What are the reasons some writers choose to use pen names? How can a pen name change the way an author’s work is received by the public? What is the reason Natalie chooses a pen name?

 

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. Who is Letha Springfield?

2. What name does Zoe choose for her agent persona?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Natalie feel like the slush pile is unfair to writers?

2.