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**Your job is to pose 6 questions to your group members. Each member of your group will need to answer those questions before that week's due date. See question help sheet if you are struggling to come up with meaty questions. Each group member will answer one question. YOU, as the discussion director, will also need to answer ONE of your questions. Group members can post additional information to other questions after they have answered a question on their own.**

**WEEK 1** Why do you think the kid punched Sal? What makes the laughing man an important part of Miranda's life?

What can you infer about Miranda's mom since she steals from work?

Why did Sal not let Miranda in after he got punched?

Why do you think Miranda's mom needs to be on the game show? What's your opinion of how Miranda deals with strangers? (Sarah)

Comments: 1. I think that maybe that kid punched Sal to look cool and maybe to impress his friends or it is possible that he got dared to. 2. He isn't really an important part, he is just a man under mailbox that laughs alot, he doesn't really have much of an importance to Miranda's life. 3.What I can infer about Miranda's mom is that she does not have alot of money and also she needs those things for her and her family at her home. 4. He was possibly mad that she did not stick up for him and be a good friend, she pretty much just stood there and watched as her friend got hit. 5. I think Miranda's mom needs to be on the game show because they do not have alot of money and if she won that game show then she would be able to quit her job and not worry about financial money issues. 6. My opinion is that she has a good skill to insure her safety and to make sure that she and or her friends that she is with or around will not be in danger. (Taylor)

I don't think she would be able to quit her job because 20,000 dollars is not enough to live on for very long. It will only help them get through a little bit but not forever!!!!!! (Sarah)

I think the kid punched Sal, maybe to look tough, and like he's really strong and everything. It was really rude for the kid to do that, but I guess thats what happens when you live in a very busy city. I think the laughing man is a big deal because almost everyday, when Miranda is walking home, she walks by him. Seeing a crazy man like that would kind of be traumatizing. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">I can infer about Miranda's mom is exactly what Taylor said. I think she doesn't have a lot of money to buy those things but yet, she needs them for their family. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Maybe Sal didn't let her in because she just stood there while it was happening and didn't stand up to the kid for him. If that happened to me I would disapointed as well. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Miranda's mom needs to be in the game show because they dont have that much money for some of the things they need. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The way Miranda deals with strangers is actually not that bad of an idea. But, in some ways it could be very dangerous as well. If she asks that to a person under the influence, they could get annoyed and start getting physical. (Lauren)

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: Georgia,serif;">I think Sal got punched because that guy was trying to be cool. I think the Mirandas mom steals from work because she is very bored. I think that Sal did not let her in after he got punched because he might have been embaressed. I think her mom needs to be on the game show because she wants money. I think that Miranda deals with strangers in a diffetent way then some people do.(Bella)

I agree with Bella for why Sal was punched. I think it is because he wanted to fit in with his friends and he wanted to act cool. I think the laughing man might play a big part in Miranda's life because she is used to seeing him everyday when she walks home from school. What if he disappeared later in the book? The author is definitely emphasizing the laughing man though. This is just a crazy prediction that I had, but what if the laughing man was Miranda's father? I mean the author is constantly talking about that man. What if something happened to her father that made her go crazy? In the book, Miranda's mom was standing up for that man by telling Miranda, not to call him Quakers. I can make an inference that Miranda's mom doesn't have enough money to buy those things that she steals from her work. I agree with Lauren! I think that Sal didnt' let Miranda in because she didn't stand up for him, and he was disappointed in her for not helping him. I think Miranda's mom wants to be on the game show for money. Also, it seems like Miranda's mom enjoys doing the speed round for the game. Part of me says- "It's a smart way because it might give the stranger the impression that she cant afford a watch, and that she's just a sweet, little innocent girl." The other part of me says- "It's not a very smart way because it gives strangers more time to kidnap Miranda." (Marissa) GOOD QUESTIONS SARAH!!!! *Maybe he and Sal knew each other from something but he didn't tell Miranda and he was getting back at Sal for something. Possibly he likes Miranda and doesn’t want Sal to close to her. *Because seeing someone crazy sleeping under a mailbox would probably freak her out and she might wonder what happened to him to end up like this. *She doesn’t like her job, boss or co-workers. Maybe she feels frustrated because she has to work there. *He probably wasn’t feeling too well after that and felt stupid for crying in front of her. *They need the money to start a new life. When you read about her house it has cigarette burned couches and it probably isn’t the best place for them. With the $20,000 they could get new stuff or move into a bigger apartment but because $20,000 won’t last forever they would need to use some of the money to help her get a better job to keep the new apartment, house, ec cetera. *I think she knows well, she seems to be thinking about what they could do and knows what to do if one tries to kidnap her. (Sprader)

Week 2: Predict the outcome, if Miranda doesn't reply to the notes she is getting. l think that if she doesn't reply something bad will happen to her or someone else. I don't know what though. (sarah) Why would someone steal their house key but not take anything inside the house? I agree with Bella that they just wanted to put the notes in the house. (sarah) How is the missing key connected to the note she got? Maybe the person who put the note there stole the key so they could put more notes! (sarah) What is your opinion about having a dentist office in the school? l think it is sort of odd because we are not used to something like that. It is also a good idea for people who can't afford healthcare! (sarah) If you were Miranda, would you reply to those mysterious notes? Why? Why not? I would because even thought it is dangerous, her life is really boring so i think it would be sort of fun after you got over the fear.(sarah) What can you infer about Sal and Miranda's lack of communication? (Lauren) I can infer that Sal doesn't want to talk to Miranda anymore. Mabye he thinks he is too cool for her. Or maybe he doesn't want to be confronted about the punching thing. (sarah)

Comments: I think having a dentist office in the school, is kind of wierd. But I also think it's a good idea, because some families can't afford those kind of things. (Lauren)

I think that if Miranda doesn't reply on the notes that somthing bad will happen to the friend they are trying to protect. I think that someone stole the house key so they could put the notes in her house. I think the key is connected to the note because that person would need the key to get in the house to put the note in their.I think that have a dentist in the school is kind of different then what we have here but also a good idea for the families that cant afored to go to the normal dentist. If I were Miranda i would reply because it said that they are trying protect a friend and that would make me repy with many quesitons. I can infe that sal doesnt talk to Miranda any more because he was embaressed when he got punched.GREAT QUESTIONS LAUREN (Bella)

I think that maybe if Miranda doesn't reply to the notes something might go wrong either with her mom being on the game show or something might happen to her friend. Someone might have stolen the house key so that way if they want to rob them, they won't have to look for the key first, they can just rob them. It is possible that the person who stole the key is the same person who is writing the notes, don't you think? I think that having a dentist office in the school is kinda nice because families that cannot afford dental care can just have their child get the care they need from the school for free. I would reply because maybe that person has something good or bad to tell you, also you could find out who they are eventually. I can infer that their friendship is coming to a slow and harsh end... sad to say but that is what I infer about what I have read. :) (Taylor)

I think that her friend (Sal) might be hurt or taken. Scary. But I don't think it will be anybody but Sal. It was the only person that she got extremely clost to. Maybe someone stole the key, but heard something outside of the door, and panicked and left. Maybe the person will come back to steal something. I don't agree with how Miranda and her mom are thinking. They are thinking that the person who stole the key, and the person writing the notes are two different people. It just seems to coincedental that someone stole the key and then you get a note asking for the key. I think that the key is just a way to freak their family out, and then the same freaky guy/girl leaves the note asking for their house key. He/she probably figured that they would change their locks, so he wrote a note asking for the new key. I think it is odd to all of us because we don't have a school with a dentist office in it. I think it is kind of smart though. If we lived in a poverty town, I think it would be good to have a free dentist office. I agree with Lauren though. Some families just can't afford those things. I would reply! But the only question is, how? There is no address left. It was left in her room, so does she leave her note in her room too? Anyways, I would. Just to protect my friend though. I can make an inference that Sal still hasn't forgiven Miranda for the day he was punched. I think he was a little embaressed for not fighting back. Maybe Sal likes Miranda **__more than a__** **__friend__** and he was embaressed. I can also infer that Miranda has given up on being friends with Sal. (Marissa)

*I think if she doesn’t reply to the notes maybe 'you' will stop sending instructions but instead send warnings to try and convince her to do what he says before someone gets hurt. *Maybe it was 'you' hiding another note somewhere and Miranda just didn’t see it yet. *'You' must have taken the key so 'you' could leave notes everywhere easily. *I think it’s a good idea because some people cant afford that, its close by, teachers would like that you are never absent from school to long //and// if you are their almost 5 times a week you could stop in after school for your check up instead of driving across town or whatever the case may be. *I think I would but just out of curiosity. I think it would be cool to know who could get hurt in the near future and save them! Also if someone knows that they could warn you about everything bad that could happen in the future. Another reason is what if it is someone who really is just trying to help? Better safe than sorry. Besides I could always tell if it turns out the person who is giving her the notes is a threat. *Sal doesn’t seem like he wants to see Miranda anymore. Maybe he feels embarrassed for crying like that or he doesn’t like her for something possibly he knows about the notes and is upset she didn’t tell him. He seemed close enough to find out about them anyway. (Sprader) Week 3-

// "A postscript: I know you have shared my first note. I ask you not to share the others. Please. I do not ask this for myself." // Would you tell? Why or why not? 4. The person who stole the key, only took Richard's extra pair of work shoes. If you were this person, why would you steal a pair of shoes? Wouldn't you want to take valuable things? Explain what you think the person stole the shoes. 5. Who do you think the rose to Annemarie was from? Do you really think it was from Collin? 6. What do you think of Jimmy (the boss)? Do you like/ trust him? (Marissa)
 * 1) Make an inference of why the author keeps on saying "you." Who is Rebecca Stead (the author) referring to?
 * 2) Why do you think Mirand only reads that one book?
 * 3) In the second note, it said:

I think "you" is the person she is getting the notes from. She says it becauseshe wants us to keep reading to find out who it is I think she reads the one book either because she is afraid of change or because their is something meaningful about it. I don't know what it could be because i read that book, "A wrinkle in Time", and there is not much substance to it. I wouldn't tell because it seems sort of fun to get those notes. maybe i wouldnt think so if i was in the situation but still. Maybe its because they already have enough things but not shoes. or they dont want anthing else but to keep their feet warm. I don't think it was from Colin. I think he is sort of sketchy. Like he has something to hide besides the 2 dollar bills. (Sarah) I am not sure why it refers to you instead of some name. I think Mirandia keeps reading the same book because she really injoys it. I would not tell any one about the note because if i was to somthing bad would happen like he wouldn't be able to save that person. If I was the person going into the house i would steal the more valuble things and not a pair of shoes. I think the rose was from colin because he acts really funny around her. I think that jimmy is a little different than some people, but i dont think that i would trust him. GREAT QUESTIONS Marissa!!!!!!!(Bella)

*'You' is definitely the person she is getting the notes from because she only talks about 'you' when she gets or is thinking about the notes. *Maybe because she can make connections to her own life through the book. I heard of a trick people use to get their songs, books, movies or whatever to be popular and that’s to have it connect to the public or reader in her case. Maybe that’s why she likes the book so much. Also it might be special to her or just a good story. *I probably wouldn't tell because things like this need to be done with perdition. Just like the old saying "keep friends close keep your enemies closer" if 'you' loses her trust 'you' might be some random killer or something and you don’t want enemies with a serial killer. Also what if it is for the best to keep them a secret like 'you' said? But I would tell if things got to out of hand. *If you take to many valuable things then the cops are more likely to be called and you could be caught. If all you need is shoes then just take the shoes and get out before you get into trouble. *It might be from Collin but Collin hardly sees her especially at work because she is stuck counting bread roles. At first I thought it was 'you' because 'you' knows where she lives (I forgot if Collin dose to) and he has given her things before like the notes. Plus he talks to her weird like he has more than one secret. Maybe he likes her and has the secret about the notes to. (Sprader)

I think that Rebecca is refering to us, as in the reader. I think that she is trying to connect us to the book. Maybe she keeps reading the same book because she can connect to it and maybe she wants to think about what is really going on so she can enhance her comprehension skills. I think that I would tell one person... Sal. I would tell him because maybe he can protect me from whatever will happen if I were to share that note that I anonymously recieved. I think that the person who took only the shoes, maybe only needed a pair of shoes so that way he or she could deliver the next note and get to where he or she needs to go. I think that the rose was actually from Collin because like Bella said he acts funny around her and maybe he wanted to try and impress Annemarie. :) He acts kind of strange, he seems to be friendly... but just in his own special way. I personally do not trust him, when I think about he doesn't sound much of a trustworthy figure. (Taylor)  I think Rebecca is referring to the person who is writing the notes to her. I think the entire book Miranda is writing the note.  Maybe she keeps reading the book because she can really relate to the girl in it.Or maybe its because she just really enjoys the story.  I would be afraid to tell someone, just cause something bad might happen. But, I probably would tell my mom again.  I think the person only took shoes because maybe he doesn't have any shoes.  I think the rose might be from Collin but I also think it could be from the person who is writing Miranda the notes.  Like Taylor said, Jimmy does act sort of strange but yet seems friendly. I probably wouldn't trust him.

EVERYBODY! THIS IS IMPORTANT... So I completely agree with Lauren. Miranda's second note was saying that Miranda needed to write him a letter starting from the beginning. This is her letter... We are reading her letter to her personal stalker! I can tell because on page 72. It refers to "you" again, but for some reason, that was the time that I realized that it was a letter. (Marissa) :)

Marissa I completely get what you are saying, good point. (Taylor)

Thats what i thought but i wasent shure because this is fiction and i didnt know a auther would right like that. Nice Observation! :) (Sprader)

Week 4:

1. Why do you think that the laughing man did not freak out when Mira gave him the sandwich? 2. Who do you think is writing the letters, why? 3. What is your opinion about how Jimmy acted when the money was gone? 4. Do you think that the laughing man is someone PRETENDING to be homeless? Why? 5. Who do you think took the money? Why? 6. What did you infer about why Mira was happy when Annemarie was still at her house in the morning? (Taylor) Comments: I think the laughing man was really tired, hungry and exhausted, and that's why he wasn't creepy to Miranda. I think it might be the laughing man, Marcus or even Miranda's dad. I think it might be those 3 people, because she doesnt know their handwriting. I just have a 'feeling' that it might be one of those three. I think Jimmy overreacted. I mean, it's completely normal to yell and be angry when you just had something stolen from you, but I think he should have asked some questions first. To me, the laughing man doesn't seem like he is faking it. I dont think anyone would make it seem like they are that crazy if they really weren't. I think Colin or Marcus took the money because, Colin took the bread rolls and that makes me wonder if he took the money too. I think Miranda was so happy because the only sleepovers she ever had was with Sal, and Sal always went home during the night. I think she was surprised when she saw Annemarie. (Lauren)

i think the laughing man did not freak out because he some how knows miranda in some way. I'm not sure how. i think it is either Marcus because of the reference to the yawning or the laughing man because he seems mysterious and i think he has to have something more to do with the story I think that was really crumby of him because he doesnt KNOW that they stole it and they didnt and he should truust them. Also it was really bad of him because he was being racist. I don't think he is pretending. i think that he has something wrong in his brain and he is poor. Why would someone want to sleep under a mail box if they have a house? I think Marcus took it because it may have been another one of his "I wanted to see what would happen" like for the punch. The only experience she has had with sleepovers is when Sal leaves so she expected it to be the same and she was happy when it wasnt. (Sarah)

I think that the laughing was really hungry and just took the sandwich. I think that it is the laughing because he is always doing somthing and seen different. I think that Jimmy over reacted because someone stole his money and how he thought it was julie because she is black. I think that the laughing is really homless and likes to sleep under a mail box. I think that Colin took the money because he is the one who found it. I think she was happy because she was afraid that she would leave when she was sleeping.(Bella)

*He was probably really cold and hungry after lying there all day and creeping people out. *My first guess is Sal but she writes her book like it is the letter and uses his name while thinking/talking to 'you' so maybe not. My next guess is Collin but again his name is mentioned in the letter when she is talking/thinking to 'you'. Next I guessed Annemarie but it just doesn’t seem right. She is always thinking about other things and doesn’t look like she would have time for something like that. Also she doesn’t have a motive. Then I thought Julia. I think it is possible its Julia because she seems to be looking out for Annemarie when she had to help with her Epilepsy, speaking to Miranda after she seemed to steal Annemarie away and she seems smart enough to (Whoever is writing the notes needs to be smart to know this would happen before it really happened.). Maybe it’s her looking out for Annemarie and using Miranda because she seems closer to her now. But I still had to take under consideration Marcus. I would also say Marcus because of how he knows allot about time machines and seems pretty smart. Whoever is writing the notes needs to be smart to know this would happen before it really happened. *It was kind of rude to think it was them automatically but I can understand how he would suspect them being the only ones who could get back there.

*

I don't think the laughing man even cared about the sandwich. Plus, he is probably used to Miranda walking past, and he is not to afraid of her, and she isn't afraid of him. I think it was Marcus who is writing the letters because he was there when Miranda was holding the "Why Do We Yawn" poster. In one of Miranda's note, it mentions that poster. I guess I would be the same way if I was stole from. I mean if I owned a restaurant and not a lot of people went in it, but I had kids helping out during lunch hour... I would suspect the kids too! I've never really thought that of it like that... But now that I see it, I can say that, that is perfectly likely. If he is a usual guy pretending to be homeless, then I would say he is the stalker. I think the laughing man did. If anybody needs the money, it is a homeless guy. I think Miranda was so used to Sal not being there in the morning, that when one of her other friends was there, she was just happy to see her not gone. It means more time together. (Marissa).

Week 5 1. Why do you think that the Laughing Man saved Sals life and lost his? 2. Why do you think Miranda kissed Colin back? 3. Why do you think the Laughing Man stole Jimmys money? 4. Why was Marcus chasing after Sal? 5. Why did Sal run away from Marcus? 6. Why do you think that Mirandas mom was really upset that she couldnt find her? (Bella) 1- First off, I believe everybody knows now that the laughing man is Miranda's stalker. So I think the laughing man made a promise to Miranda to save his friends life, and he kept his promise. Also, it seems like he didn't care if he died... Maybe he was sick of being poor and he didn't care anymore. 2- I think Miranda likes Colin a lot, and I think she was excited about being liked. 3- The laughing man probably needed the money. He was homeless. 4- Marcus was probably thinking about how Miranda didn't like how Marcus punched Sal for no good reason, and Marcus probably started feeling bad. Maybe Marcus wanted to apologize. 5- Sal probably ran away from Marcus because last time Sal was by Marcus, he got punched. 6- My mom would be upset if I was missing. Any mom would be scared if they couldn't find their child. I also think that after their key was stolen, and the first note, she has been extremely worried. (Marissa)

I think the laughing man wanted to do something extrodinary with his life and decided to save him. I also think that maybe the laughing man is someone Miranda knows, but doesnt know yet. I think she kissed him back because she likes him. I think he needed money. I also think he did that so maybe he would make Miranda figure it out, that it was him. I think Marcus was chasing after him to say sorry. Or maybe Marcus knew about Sal getting hit. Sal probably ran away from Marcus cause he thought he was going to punch him again. Just like Marissa said, if i was missing my mom would be scared too, especially in a big city like that. (Lauren)

I think the laughing man saved Sal because maybe he knows Marcus and he knew that Sal was going to run away when Marcus tried to do whatever he was going to do, Sal would run into the street. I agree with Lauren. Also, maybe because she was happy that Colin picked her instead of Annemarie. I agree with both Lauren and Marissa on this one. He may have wanted Miranda to find him or it was just a coincidence that he decided to steal from the store Miranda happened to be woking at. Marcus was chasing after Sal maybe because he wanted to appologize. But it maybe he was going to do something else "to see what would happen". Sal most likely ran away because he thought he was going to get punched again. She was upset because Miranda doesn't usually do this type of thing. Also in a big city, she could get kidnapped, hurt, or lost. (Sarah)