The Battle for the Book of Good Deeds
Beyond the Book
~~ More Explorations, Adventures and Discoveries ~~
Dear Readers,
Thank you for choosing to journey with us through The Battle for the Book of Good Deeds. We hope you’ve had as much fun reading the book as we had writing it!
One of the things we enjoy most about writing is all the new discoveries we make while developing our stories. We’d like to share some with you. If you don’t have time to go through the entire list, simply pick out the ones that appeal to you. They are organized into the following categories:
Whooo knew? = fun facts
Food for Thought = no right or wrong answers, just opinions
WWWWWH = Who, What, Why, When, Where, How
Digging Deeper = advanced research projects
Now on to more explorations, adventures and discoveries!
Now on to more explorations, adventures and discoveries!
SPOILER ALERT
We strongly recommend reading the book
before continuing with this Reader’s Guide.
Chapter 1
Food for Thought – If a magnetic pulse actually wiped out our electronic equipment, what device would you miss the most?
WWWWWH – What hardships did the Continental soldiers endure while they were encamped at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777 – 1778?
Whooo knew? – The word “transmogrification” means a complete and grotesque change from one form into another.
WWWWWH – What is the English translation of the French word “probité”?
WWWWWH – Why does salt melt ice and snow?
Chapter 2
WWWWWH – What is a “bootlegger”?
Whooo knew? – Every year on Edgar Alan Poe’s birthday from 1949 until 2009 a mysterious figure called the Poe Toaster would leave 3 roses on Poe’s grave in Baltimore, Maryland.
Digging Deeper – What meteorological conditions must exist for thunder snow to occur?
Chapter 3
Digging Deeper – Memorize one of Edgar Alan Poe’s poems.
WWWWWH – Name some movies and television programs written by Gordon Dawson?
Food for Thought – Who is your favorite author and what makes their writing special to you?
Chapter 4
Digging Deeper – There are different theories about who caused the destruction of the ancient Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Describe at least two of these theories.
WWWWWH – What is the difference between a scroll and a codex?
Chapter 5
WWWWWH – What gives carrier pigeons their sense of direction?
Chapter 6
Digging Deeper – Go to your local library and find information about the origin of weathervanes WITHOUT using a computer or the Internet.
WWWWWH – What are some differences between a raven and a crow?
Chapter 7
Food for Thought – Some people keep flying squirrels as pets. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
Digging Deeper – In some states is it illegal to keep flying squirrels as pets. In some others you must have a permit. What is the law in your state?
Food for Thought – Tell about a scrapbook you or someone you know has made.
WWWWWH – On what date did over 3,000 homing pigeons mysteriously disappear in races throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey?
Chapter 8
WWWWWH – How many people worldwide died from the Spanish Flu between 1918 and 1920?
Whooo knew? – Author Janet Wilson’s grandfather served in France during World War I. The Veteran’s ring pictured on the back cover of the printed book belonged to him.
WWWWWH – What do the letters “AEF” on the ring stand for?
WWWWWH – Prior to World War II, World War I was referred to by several different names. What were they?
Chapter 9
Whooo knew? – Author Michael Wilson had a pet pigeon named Timmy when he was a boy. Timmy actually froze to death one cold winter night in Oklahoma and Michael buried him at the edge of the cemetery next to his home.
WWWWWH – How did Abraham Lincoln die?
Chapter 10
WWWWWH – The first recorded sighting of a Great Horned Owl occurred in one of the 13 original colonies and the owl’s Latin name contains the name of this colony. Which colony was it and what is Latin name of the Great Horned Owl?
Whooo knew? – The Great Horned Owl is the only animal that regularly eats skunks.
Chapter 11
WWWWWH – What is bat guano?
Food for Thought – If you’ve ever been in a cave, describe how it smelled, what sounds you heard, whether it was cold or hot, and tell about any animals you saw.
WWWWWH – What is the name of the action-adventure movie Marty liked to watch with Gramps before their VCR quit working and who starred in it?
WWWWWH – Pick three of the quotations engraved on the walls of the receiving vault and discover who originally said or wrote them.
WWWWWH – The inscription on the altar is from the King James Version of the Bible. Name the book, the chapter and the verse where it is found.
WWWWWH – What motivated the Pilgrims to risk the dangers of coming to America?
Chapter 12
WWWWWH – Why were American soldiers in World War I called “doughboys”?
Digging Deeper – Davy Barnett reads a verse from Psalm 23 to the dying soldier. Commit the entire 23rd Psalm to memory if you haven’t already done so.
WWWWWH – Omar calls Silas “Silvanus,” which is the Latin form of “Silas.” What does it mean?
Chapter 13
WWWWWH – Sapphire is the birthstone for which month? What is the birthstone for the month you were born?
WWWWWH – What are the similarities and difference between kerosene and gasoline?
Chapter 14
WWWWWH – Why is it a good idea to regularly check the tires on your car?
Digging Deeper – During World War II many things (like tires) were in short supply because they were needed for the war effort so they were rationed. Explain how “rationing” works and list some of the items that were rationed during this time in history.
WWWWWH – Calculate the approximate value of the American Silver Eagle coin that the McCanns used as partial payment for the tire. What is the value of an American Silver Eagle coin today?
Chapter 15
Food for Thought - There is talk of implanting ID chips under the skin of American citizens. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Explain why?
Chapter 16
WWWWWH – What is a “World War II Flying Tiger”?
WWWWWH – What actions should you take if you are inside a building and smell smoke or see a fire?
Chapter 17
Digging Deeper – Read the poem “Cher Ami” by Harry Webb Farrington that tells the heart-wrenching story of the severely wounded carrier pigeon who saved the lives of over 200 American soldiers in World War I.
WWWWWH – What was the message carried in the canister strapped to Cher Ami’s leg?
Chapter 18
WWWWWH – From what plant is capsaicin derived?
Digging Deeper – Keep a journal and record good deeds done by people you know.
Food for Thought – What is the “Book that is greater than this” which is referred to in the last stanza of the inscription on the front of The Book of Good Deeds?
Epilogue
WWWWWH – What is a utopia?
Food for Thought – In what part of the United States do you think the Old Statler Parish Church and Library are located?
WWWWWH – What is the difference in the wording on the marquee in the first chapter and in the epilogue? What is the significance of this difference?
WWWWWH – What is the difference in the wording on the marquee in the first chapter and in the epilogue? What is the significance of this difference?
Food for Thought – Who do you think the handsome stranger is and why did he come to the Poetry Festival?
