Section 1: New Dog In Town-You’re Going To Get It, Tippy Lemmey
Vocabulary
- monster: a horrible creature
- branch: split off or divide into smaller parts
- matters: situations under discussion
- fireball: a fast-moving ball of flame or an energetic person
- scuff: to mark or scratch something
- elderly: older, past middle age
Vocabulary Sentences
- The elderly couple sat gazing at the fiery sunset
- Rivers might branch off into smaller streams.
- What the team needs is a fireball to energize the players.
- Teachers were discussing the matters of school discipline and leadership.
- Mom doesn’t want me to scuff up my patent leather shoes.
- Jim was sure he saw a monster in the forest.
Comprehension Questions
- Tippy Lemmey belongs to the Lemmeys. (p. 2)
- The backwater branch fills up with fast-moving water when it rains. (p. 4)
- Paul says that Tippy Lemmey is no ordinary dog. (p. 8)
- Jeannie, Paul, and Leandra go to Ashland Bridge when they ditch Sunday school. (p. 10-11)
- Tippy Lemmey was eating the handkerchief Granny Bea had sent to Leandra for Christmas. (p. 12-13)
- Leandra feels good telling her parents about Tippy Lemmey. (p. 14)
Section 2: The Lion’s Den-Now What?
Vocabulary
- insist: to demand
- twist: distort the facts
- miserable: very unhappy
- vicious: very cruel
- salute: give a sign of respect
- disgust: strong dislike
Vocabulary Sentences
- Growling dogs look vicious.
- Maria saw a slug and got a look of disgust on her face.
- Grant raised his hand to salute the officer.
- Sal did insist on paying the dinner bill.
- Please don’t twist the facts!
- If you eat all that cake you will feel miserable.
Comprehension Questions
- Leandra looks away when Mr. Lemmey smiles at her. (p. 18)
- Leandra’s daddy thinks Tippy Lemmey is a boy. (p. 20)
- Mr. Lemmey can’t stop laughing when he realizes they are talking about his dog. (p. 21)
- Mrs. Lemmey describes Tippy as a sweet puppy. (p. 23)
- The Lemmeys offer to keep Tippy tied up when the kids pass walk to and from school. (p. 26)
- Tippy Lemmey usually waits on the front porch. (p. 28)
Section 3: An Escape Route-Search and Rescue
Vocabulary
- polite: having good manners
- tattoo: to mark the skin
- creep: a strange person you strongly dislike
- riddance: relief that someone is gone
- shack: a small crummy building
- padlock: a strong lock
Vocabulary Sentences
- Caleb didn’t approve of his sister getting a tattoo on her arm.
- The old shack finally fell down in the strong wind storm.
- Jessie keeps a big padlock on his barn door.
- There was a creep loitering around the school yard.
- Diego thought, “Good riddance” when his scary neighbor moved away.
- Jasmine knew it was polite to smile and shake hands.
Comprehension Questions
- Mr. Lemmey tells the children that if Tippy chases them they should not run, and then tell him “No! Go home.” (p. 32-33)
- Leandra justified going in the branch because the sky was clear and she wasn’t going to play in the branch. (p. 35)
- An eagle is tattooed on the thief’s arm. (p. 37)
- Paul thinks the thieves have done them a favor by getting rid of Tippy Lemmey. (p. 42)
- The thieves were going to leave at sunset. (p. 44)
- When Leandra gets into the mill, she begins untying the dogs. (p. 45)
Section 4: Help-Peace
Vocabulary
- scoff: expression of mockery
- drown: to die under water
- police: people who enforce the laws
- license: identification plate on a car
- wounded: a feeling of sadness, anger
- dash: run quickly
Vocabulary Sentences
- Julia told her friend to dash across the road.
- The toddler had a wounded look on his face after being scolded.
- A police cruiser comes around every night on patrol.
- Don’t scoff at me when I tell you my problems!
- The lifeguard made sure no one would drown in the lake.
- We got a ticket for not having our license plate displayed.
Comprehension Questions
- The other problem the children have is that the branch is filling up with water. (p. 49)
- The branch cracks when Paul tries to pull up on it. (p. 50)
- Mrs. Lemmey hoses the children with water when they get to her house. (p. 53)
- Mrs. Martin gives Leandra a weeklong punishment for being in the branch. (p. 54)
- Tippy lowers his head and turns around when Leandra tells him to “Go back!” (p. 56)
- Tippy Lemmey now runs with the kids instead of chasing after them. (p. 57)