Table of Contents Before You Read Think Explain

Table of Contents Before You Read Think Explain Choose a Project How a Character Changes As you read, look for how Naya sees herself at the beginning of the story and how this changes by the end. © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Before You Read Directions: Complete the sentences on the right. Traveling to space would be ____. Having a parent travel to space would be ______. © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. Click here to read or listen to the story at Storyworks Digital. ➜ Tip! Scroll down and click to listen to the story. Artwork: Shutterstock © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. Naya couldn’t pretend to be happy when her mother was sitting inside a rocket ship, about to blast off into outer space. Her mom would be gone for three whole months. Plus, Naya couldn’t help thinking about everything that could go wrong on the mission. Character How are Naya’s feelings different from those of everyone else in her home? Why does she feel this way? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. “Hmm, really? ” Abuelo took a few steps into the room. He moved a ceramic turtle from her cluttered desk and replaced it with a small plate loaded with cookies and croquetas. “Or did you just need a break from the crowd? ” Naya shrugged and tossed the pillow back on the bed. Inference What can you infer about Naya’s relationship with Abuelo? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. “I wish I were like Mom, ” she whispered. “But I’m not. ” Abuelo pulled back and laughed. “Naya, you are already so much like her. Don’t you see it? ” He shook his head. “Your mother is very proud of you. We all are. ” Character What qualities do you think Naya sees in her mom? What does she think about herself? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. Her mother was a hero— everyone said so. She was an Air Force pilot, had degrees in engineering and biomedical science, and had even won a national cake-making contest. All Naya had was that she was president—and the only member—of her school’s Save the Sea Turtles club. Why would her mother be proud? Connecting to a Character What would you tell Naya to answer this question? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. JJ laughed. “Yeah, that could be a problem. ” He glanced around Naya’s room, where sea turtle posters hung on the walls, a small collection of stuffed turtles filled a rocking chair in the corner, and dozens of books on ocean animals lined the bookshelves. Even Naya’s desk lamp had a pink sequined turtle on it. “Guess you must really be into turtles. ” Supporting Details Did you notice the same thing JJ did? What other details in the story so far have told you about Naya’s love of turtles? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. “A beach cleanup day? ” he asked, pointing to the screen. “To help your little ocean-loving friends? ” “In a way. ” Naya smiled. “A clean beach helps everybody. ” “And you’re the one organizing it? ” JJ asked, raising his eyebrows. “Yeah. I’m going to put up the flyers at school tomorrow. ” Inference What can you infer about what JJ thinks of Naya’s efforts? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. JJ leaned back and stared at Naya. “Wow. You’re pretty impressive. . . for a younger cousin. ” Naya sat a little taller in her chair. She’d never thought of herself as impressive. “Helping the environment and animals. . . maybe I should do something like that in my school. Make a difference like you and your mom do. ” How a Character Changes How is the beginning of a turning point for Naya? How does seeing herself through JJ’s eyes help Naya? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. Naya inhaled and slowly let out the air as she and JJ walked together to rejoin everyone in the family room. The entire house had gone completely quiet. No one was talking anymore as all eyes were glued to the large-screen TV. Author’s Craft How does the author help you feel the drama of this moment in Naya’s house? Think about the details she includes in this paragraph and the next two. © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. The whole room erupted into cheers as a camera inside the space capsule showed Naya’s mother giving the thumbs-up sign. Abuelo smiled as Naya jumped up and down with excitement. “So amazing!” JJ shouted as he high-fived Naya. How a Character Changes How is Naya’s reaction to seeing her mom in space different from her earlier feelings about the space trip? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. That’s when Naya saw it. A stuffed toy sea turtle began to float past the astronauts like a helium balloon. It was a special message from Naya’s mother. She had taken a little piece of Naya to space. Both of their passions were together. Inference What is the special message Naya’s mother is sending her? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. What do you think Naya will say to her mom about the stuffed sea turtle when her mom returns from space? Do you think Naya and her mom’s relationship will be different? Explain. © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Read. Think. Explain. Read the paired texts “Dr. King Is My Grandpa” and “These Kids Are Changing the World” in this issue of Storyworks. How is Naya like the kids described in these articles? © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.

Choose Your Own Project Respond to the Writing Prompt on Page 14: Imagine you’re Naya. Write an email to your mom on the space station, telling how your feelings were different at the end of the day than at the beginning, and why. Write a Note Pretend you are Naya and you want to give a message to your mom that she can take with her to read in space. Write a note telling how you feel about her and her mission. Create an Invitation Naya’s family throws a party to watch Naya’s mom launch into space. Imagine you are planning the party. Create an invitation that tells when and where the party will take place, what the occasion is, and what kinds of food and activities to expect. Do an Interview Imagine you are a news reporter interviewing Naya’s mom. Write five interview questions you would ask her about her mission to space. Then act out this imaginary interview with a classmate, either in class, by phone, or by video chat. © 2021 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to teachers and subscribers to make copies of this file to distribute to their students. Scholastic is not responsible for any edits to these materials made by educators or their students.