No More Dead Dogs

Chapters 1-2

Reading Check

1. Old Shep, My Pal by Zach Paris (Chapter 1)

2. Famous actors (Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. Wallace dislikes that his father rarely tells the truth, so he reacts to his father’s lying by always telling the truth. This value creates problems for Wallace when he is assigned an essay about Old Shep, My Pal. Wallace describes his honest feelings about the book—that he disliked it and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. His honesty infuriates his teacher, Mr. Fogelman, and Wallace is assigned to after-school detention until he rewrites the essay and has positive opinions of the book. (Chapter 1)

2. The theater students react differently to Wallace, ranging from surprise to fear. Trudi thinks Wallace is cute and is happy to see him at practice, one of the students fears sports kids will push them out of their theater roles, leaving nothing for them to be part of, and Rachel, who likes the play, is disgusted by Wallace’s unwillingness to be there and his scathing review of Old Shep, My Pal. (Chapter 2)

Chapters 3-5

Reading Check

1. Parker Schmidt (Chapter 3)

2. Trudi Davis (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. Rachel knows that Wallace refuses to write a positive paper about Old Shep, My Pal and is misled by the information printed about him in the school newspaper, claiming Wallace refuses to participate in sports until he receives an A for his paper. Her refusal to believe Wallace is “one of us,” referring to the theater group, creates a bias in Rachel’s perspective on Wallace. (Chapter 4)

2. Rachel writes a letter to Julia Roberts complaining about Wallace’s suggestions about the play. Wallace recommends the play make use of more modern language for the audience. Rachel finds it annoying that Wallace’s suggestions are “pretty good.” (Chapter 4)

Chapters 6-8

Reading Check

1. Trudi Davis (Chapter 6)

2. Pepper (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. Wallace argues with Mr. Fogelman about the play’s lengthy monologue and lack of action. He attempts to change the play by giving Mr. Fogelman suggestions on how to improve it. (Chapter 7)

2. When a trap of pepper is set out for the actors onstage, one of the actors is so shocked by the pepper that he steps backward offstage. Wallace catches him before he can fall, and the actors break out in enthusiastic applause. Mr. Fogelman makes a note to harness this same enthusiasm that “cannot be manufactured” in his play. (Chapter 8)

Chapters 9-11

Reading Check

1. In Feather’s locker (Chapter 9)

2. Fertilize the lawn (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. Wallace intends to snub Parker because he circulated false information in the school newspaper, claiming Wallace demanded an A before he returned to football. Wallace changes his mind about snubbing Parker when he determines he may be able to use Parker to circulate information about Wallace assisting the principal with catching the saboteur of the drama club. (Chapter 9)

2. Initially, Rachel uses the first article about Wallace to bolster her argument that he is responsible for the vandalism. After Parker releases his new article claiming Wallace is helping catch the saboteur, she refuses to believe it even though she previously used the paper as a reliable source. (Chapter 11)

Chapters 12-15

Reading Check

1. Dead Mangoes (Chapter 12)

2. Femme fatale (Chapter 15)

Short Answer

1. Wallace decides not to play football any longer. He tells his friends he decided because they did not offer him as much support as those he worked with in the play. An example of this is when Wallace asked the football players to help him fertilize the lawn, and only two of the players showed up to help. (Chapter 13)

2. Rachel feels resentment when people in the hallway point and stare at Trudi as if she is a movie star. She likely feels this resentment because she has plans to be an actress one day. She is torn about the attention when Trudi points out that people care about the drama club for the first time because of the rumors. (Chapter 15)

Chapters 16-18

Reading Check

1. Wallace’s jersey (Chapter 18)

2. Rachel (Chapter 18)

Short Answer

1. Wallace’s coach claims that Wallace is good at bringing out the best in others. His claim is supported by the trust Wallace inspires in the drama club. He draws people into the play from all over the school, and the students are so excited about his suggestions that the drama club must be careful about whom they discuss the play with because it has drawn so much attention. (Various Chapters)

2. Mr. Fogelman attempts to be more mellow and relaxed. The children notice that he has changed his clothing and smiles more. (Chapter 17)

Chapters 19-21

Reading Check

1. Old Shep will live (Chapter 19)

2. Dylan (Chapter 20)

3. Julia Roberts (Chapter 21)

Short Answer

1. Trudi might be described as a stagnant character. She does not experience growth in the novel and is often swayed by public opinion. When she likes Wallace’s suggestions, she supports him, but when the other drama students turn on him, she also believes he is guilty. (Various Chapters)

2. Wallace tells Rachel he is the one who put the cherry bomb on the stage. He lies to protect Rachel from learning that her brother is the one who has been sabotaging the play all along. (Chapter 20)