Critical Thinking

• 1. SUM IT UP With a partner, choose a character from the story and describe the important events from that character’s point of view.

  Estela doesn’t notice me!

  José asked me to play racquetball. He was not very good!

• 2. Analyze In what way does Estela make José feel awkward? Use details from the text to support your answer.

• 3. Make Judgments Think about what José does to get Estela to notice him. Do you think this was the best way to get her attention? Why or why not?

• 4. Evaluate Revisit your Anticipation Guide on page 94. Was there something you assumed, but no longer think is true? Explain.

Reading Fluency

Intonation Read the passage on page 651 to a partner. Assess your fluency.

• 1. I read

  • a. great

  • b. OK

  • c. not very well

• 2. What I did best in my reading was _____.

Reading Strategy

Vocabulary Review

Oral Review Read the paragraph aloud. Add the vocabulary words.

I was playing tennis with my older brother. All my _______ was focused on beating him, so I didn’t _______ that the coach of the middle school team was watching me play. I felt a little _______ and embarrassed when he asked to speak with me. As I _______ him, I wondered if I had done something wrong. The coach introduced himself and told me that I was a strong player. He _______ I lifted _______, and that I must _______ a lot to be so good. He _______ me to try out for the school team!

Written Review Imagine you have a friend who wants to play on a school sports team but is afraid to try out. Write a letter to encourage your friend. Use five vocabulary words.

Write About the Guiding Question

Explore Being Yourself

Decide whether or not José would agree or disagree with this statement: “The best way to get attention is by being yourself.” Reread the selection to find examples that support your ideas.