Wish

Chapters 1-12

Reading Check

1. Fifth (Chapter 1)

2. Scrappy (Chapter 1)

3. Colby, North Carolina with her aunt and uncle (Chapter 1)

4. Howard Odom (Chapter 1)

5. So she can make a wish (Chapter 2)

6. Repeat the word “pineapple” (Chapter 3)

7. Bible Detective (Chapter 5)

8. Laundry hanging on a clothesline (Chapter 6)

9. Wishbone (Chapter 6)

10. Howard (Chapter 6-13)

11. 4 (Chapter 9)

12. Butterbean (Chapter 10)

13. Charlie’s sister (Chapters 1-12)

14. Howard’s dad (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1. She has been sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Colby because her father is in prison, and her mother is not able to take care of her. (Chapter 1)

2. Bertha asks about Charlie’s day, listening intently, buys her new things like clothes and pillowcases she thinks she will like, makes her special food, encourages her, and tries to help her find Wishbone. (Chapters 1-12)

3. Bertha and Gus nurture Charlie, finding many ways to show they care. They are also reliable and steadfast. Carla and Scrappy abandon and neglect Charlie. (Chapter 3)

4. Carla, Charlie’s mom, leaves her children, and she tries to do so permanently. Bertha confronts her. They eventually stop talking. (Chapters 11-12)

Chapters 13-23

Reading Check

1. “A squirrel-eating hillbilly” (Chapter 13)

2. At church (Chapter 15)

3. The food in jail (Chapter 16)

4. Not limping (Chapter 16)

5. Cheese grits (Chapter 17)

6. Jackie (Chapter 18)

7. Since 4th grade, a year or more (Chapter 19)

8. Some of his Bible Bucks (Chapter 22)

Short Answer

1. The next time she sees her, Mrs. Odom says she appreciates Charlie’s feistiness and is glad she is “on her team.” (Chapter 14)

2. Jackie talks about how wonderful Colby is. She is very friendly with everyone, listening intently to Bertha, visiting the Odoms, and helping with dinner. (Chapters 20-23)

3. Jackie points out how wonderful Bertha and Gus are. Jackie also says she cannot take care of Charlie, because she is just learning to take care of herself, and she asks Charlie not to hate her. (Chapter 23)

Chapters 24-31

Reading Check

1. A lunchbox with rainbows on it (Chapter 24)

2. TJ makes fun of Howard. (Chapter 25)

3. “A ray of sunshine at the end of a long, sorry day” (Chapter 25)

4. That Charlie would be his friend and get to stay in Colby (Chapters 26, 31)

5. Monopoly (Chapter 29)

6. Chattanooga, Tennessee (Chapter 30)

Short Answer

1. The note is from Audrey’s mom saying she loves her. It represents an affectionate mom, and Charlie writes her own note, imagining her mom caring for her like that. When Bertha finds out, she talks with Charlie about not knowing to do things like that and revealing how much she cares. (Chapter 24)

2. Though Charlie has been wanting to return to Raleigh, when it seems it will actually happen, she is upset and has confusing emotions. She realizes she wants to stay in Colby. (Chapter 28)

3. Charlie has been wishing for a loving, solid family. When Bertha calls the three of them family, Charlie realizes she no longer needs to make that wish. (Chapter 31)