Reading Change Literature by Charlotte Zolotow The summer still hangs heavy and sweet with sunlight as it did last year The autumn still comes showering gold and crimson as it did last year The winter still stings clean and cold and white as it did last year The spring still comes like a whisper in the dark night It is only I who have changed Reading Strategy Read and Reread Reread stanzas and How does the rhythm compare to the first three stanzas? How is this a clue to the poem’s meaning? crimson deep, dark red 316 Unit • Chapter Old Snake by Pat Mora Old Snake knows Sometimes you feel you can’t breathe in your own tight skin Old Víbora says, “Leave those doubts and hurts buzzing like flies in your ears When you feel your frowns, like me wriggle free from I can’t, I can’t Leave those gray words to dry in the sand and dare to show your brave self, your bright true colors.” Reading Strategy Read and Reread Reread the poem What connotation does the poet give to the word “skin”? ✓ Reading Check Recall details To what does Charlotte Zolotow compare spring? A snake shedding its skin VisualizeWhat sounds you hear in “Old Snake?” What colors you see? Víbora Spanish word for snake wriggle move back and forth quickly Unit • Chapter 317 Walking on the Boundaries of Change by Sara Holbrook Day by day a tightrope, walking on the boundaries of change One step— firm, familiar, the next step— shaky, strange Some friends will dare danger, mock or push each step Some friends knock your confidence Real friends form a net Reading Strategy Read and Reread Read the poem What you notice about the way the lines break? Reread stanza How does the poet’s use of punctuation affect the rhythm? tightrope a rope stretched between two high points knock criticize 318 Unit • Chapter