summary of chapter 8

1. DEAR MR. KILMER
BY: ANNE SCHRAFF
SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 8
1. As theyswayon the swing,Richard’sfatheraskswhyhe turneddownhispart of the Doughboy
(Meaning_______). Richard explainsthatHannahwonthe essay-writingcompetition fairlyto
be Lady Libertybuteverybodygangeduponher. He foundthat unfairanddeclinedthe role.
2. Pa tellshimthatAbner’sfather, (name ____________) ,complainedabouthim. Accordingto
Ike,Richarddeclinedthe role inschool toside withthe Schermers,he isunpatrioticandhe
wantsthe German to winthe war. RichardtellsPathat the Schermersare patriotic,theywant
the Alliestowinandtheirson,Otto,isan AmericansoldierfightinginFrance withthe Allies.
3. Richard’sfatheradviseshimnottoside withthe Schermersagainstthe restof the communityas
theyare different. He remindsRichardthattheirancestorsfarmedonthislandandhave been
here longerthanthe Schermers. Besides,Ike andthe otherfolkshelpedtoharvesttheircrops
whenhe broke hislegthree yearsago. Richardthinksthathisfatheris unfairandwrongto talk
like thataboutthe Schermers. (IsPaforor against the Schermers?_____)
4. Most of the studentsignore Richardfordecliningthe role of the Doughboy. He doesnotcare
aboutit. Wheneverhe islonely,he visitsthe Schermers. Theyunderstandhisdreamsand
longing. He sharesMr. Kilmer’sletterswiththemtoo,andhe evenreadshispoetrytothem.
5. In earlyJanuary,RichardsharesMr. Kilmer’ssadletter withthe Schermers. He findsithard to
spendChristmasawayfromhisfamily,andhe missesthe woods (Meaning______). Hannah
bakescookieswithnutsandraisinsandMrs. Schermerknitsa scarf to cheerhimup. Richard
sendsthemtohim withhisnextletter. Mr.Kilmerwritesbackthathe likesthe deliciouscookies
and the warm comfortingscarf. (WHY DOES HE NEED A SCARF?)
6. In spring,(fromwhatmonthto whatmonth?) Mr. Higby (teacheswhatsubject?______) tells
the class the bad news. The Germanhave bombardedParisandforcedBritainto retreat. Mr.
Kilmerwritesthathe andhiscomradesare livingintrenches(Meaning______) whichare like
coffins. Inanotherletter,Mr.Kilmersaysthat he isnow a sergeant. He alsodescribesnature
and the ‘gutterbabies’(Meaning____________________) beggingforhandouts(Meaning
_______) at the messline (Meaning____________________).
7. In late May, the Allies are victoriousafterAmericantroopspushbackthe Germansmarching
alongthe Marne RiverinFrance. All the studentscheerandsing.
8. On the lastday of school,the studentshave apicnicona grassy meadow abouta mile away.
(when?________________) (whyis school closed?____________________) Hannahis
Richard’sdate. Theysit undera large tree and eatthe foodthat her motherprepared.
(Hannah’smother’sname?_____________________). Hannah describesthe tall buildingand

2. people inNewYorkaswell asEast Side tohim.(How doesHannahknow all these?
_______________________________________ Chapter?__).
9. Suddenly,Hannahthinksaboutherbrother(name ____) and feelssad. Richardtoo,is worried
aboutMr. Kilmerandhisbrother(name ____), whowantsto enlistinthe army.
10. ThenRichard takesHannahto a bigoak tree onwhichmany couplescarve theirinitialsinits
trunk.Richard carvesa heart andthe lettersRand H inside itwithhispocketknife. Suddenly,he
hearsHannah groaningandseesthat herankle isbleeding.
11. Someone hasthrowna stone at Hannahor shotit froma slingshotather. Richard picksup the
stone andseesthe word“Hun” writtenonit(Meaningof HUN __________________________)
THE ALLIES VS. THE CENTRAL POWERS
THE ALLIES THE CENTRAL POWERS
RUSSIAN EMPIRE GERMAN EMPIRE
ROMANIA AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE
FRANCE BULGARIA
PORTUGAL OTTOMAN EMPIRE
ITALY
GREECE
SERBIA
GREAT BRITAIN
U.S JOINEDIN 1917
COLOURING ACTIVITY: Colourthe LEFT maponly. Use redfor The AlliesandYellow forThe
Central Power