read the first section until our session after the trip to Vienna
Tasks for you reading journal
create vocabulary lists with words you did not know
Ada's firsts
As Ada experienced the "bright, virbrant, astonishing green" grass for the first time on page 25, she said, "there was ano end to things I didn't know"
create a list of Ada's "firsts" or the things she learns about for the first time
add to your lists as you read
consider the questions: "How was learning new things frustrating for Ada?" "How did learning new things give her freedom?"
Choose one of the quotes and reflect on them
As Susan shows compassion, respect, and care for Ada, Ada begins to question who she is and how she sees herself in the world—her identity. How is this frightening for Ada? What did Ada mean when she said, “At home I knew who I was” (p. 58)?
When talking about Miss Smith, Ada said, “She doesn’t like us. She didn’t want us, remember?” (p. 80). Did Miss Smith like the kids? Did she want the kids? Why or why not?
Ada said, “everybody thinks I’m nasty, back home. They think I’m some kind of monster” (p. 81). In what ways does Ada internalize these messages? In what ways does she overcome them?
Choose one character (Ada, Jamie, Susan), write:
A short description
How they behave toward others
One important change you notice so far