Group+1

﻿ Chapter 1

**Directions: ** In your small group, discuss the following.

1. Think about the Watson family and how they interact with each other. Use words from the character trait notes in your writing journal to help you describe the Watson family. Find details from Chapter 1 to support your answers.

2. When Dad finds that Byron's lips have frozen to the mirror, Dad laughs until he cries. Why isn't he more concerned?

3. Is the dialogue in this novel realistic? Give examples to support your answer.

Group 1-  1) We think that the Watson family is very realistic and their everyday life is funny. Their family acts like a normal family with sibling rivalries and all. For example, Byron and his friend Buphead kept throwing Kenny into a snowbank (sibling rivalry/funny). We'd describe the Watson family as normal, funny, and entertaining overall.

 2) Dad probably doesn't seem too too concerned about By's lips stuck on the rear view mirror because Byron is conceited (full of himself, vein) and deserves the consequence.

 3) The dialog is realistic because every family has it's problems- including the Watsons. Byron disliking Kenny, the heater going out! They laugh, they cry, they shiver together as a family, just like many other families today.