Week 23 – Onion John : Week 23 – Onion John By Joseph Krumgold
Joseph Krumgold : Joseph Krumgold Was born in 1908 and grew up in New Jersey, the son of a movie theatre operator.
As an adult, he began writing movie scripts.
He is the first author to have received the Newbery Medal twice. This is a medal awarded for excellence in children’s literature.
His first book to win the Newbery was ….And Now Miguel, a story about Spanish workers in rural America, in 1953.
In 1959, his book Onion John also won this honor.
Why is John called “Onion John”? : Why is John called “Onion John”?
What are some examples of Onion John’s superstitious beliefs?(question #1) : What are some examples of Onion John’s superstitious beliefs?(question #1) Once a month in the middle of the night he cooks a stew with chunks of lead in order to get gold out of the moon.
Hanging rocks in an apple tree will make the apples ashamed so they will try to catch up and get big and heavy.
In order to make the rain come, the whole town needs to stop eating for a day and drink only water.
In order to ward off witches, the cellar needs to be fumigated with a can of triple blessed oil.
What are some superstitions that you have heard before? : What are some superstitions that you have heard before?
See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ.~ Colossians 2:8-10 : See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ.~ Colossians 2:8-10
Be controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.~ I Peter 5:8 : Be controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.~ I Peter 5:8
What are some ways that Andy accepts John?(question #2) : What are some ways that Andy accepts John?(question #2) After the game, Andy goes back to the dump to see what’s going on with Onion John and tries his best to understand him.
The two begin spending a lot of time together, and Andy experiments with different ways of trying to understand John.
After John sacrifices two overcoats for the sake of a heavy rain, Andy gets more overcoats for John from the kids at school.
How does Mr. Rusch accept and treat John in the first half of the book?(question #4) : How does Mr. Rusch accept and treat John in the first half of the book?(question #4) At first he simply lets his son Andy befriend John.
Mr. Rusch is willing to congratulate John on the rainfall.
Mr. Rusch tells John he’s glad they understand each other after he explains to him about inflation.
He tells John there is no reason he shouldn’t think of them as friends.
Mr. Rusch decides that John needs a new house and that the Rotary Club should tackle the project.
What are Mr. Rusch’s expectations for his son Andy? : What are Mr. Rusch’s expectations for his son Andy?
The physical setting of this book is the town of Serenity. What does the word “serenity” literally mean? : The physical setting of this book is the town of Serenity. What does the word “serenity” literally mean? “the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil”
Give examples from the book that show Serenity is a typical small town in the 1950’s.(question # 3) : Give examples from the book that show Serenity is a typical small town in the 1950’s.(question # 3) The headline of the local newspaper is about Little Leaguers.
After the game, several people go to the drugstore for ice cream.
There is an American Legion band concert on Friday nights.
The Chamber of Commerce has prizes for being artistic on Halloween.
The Rotary Club has a father-son evening.
Is Onion John’s house typical of most American small town homes in the 1950’s?Describe his house. : Is Onion John’s house typical of most American small town homes in the 1950’s?Describe his house.
Give examples that show the advancement of technology in the 1950’s.(question #5) : Give examples that show the advancement of technology in the 1950’s.(question #5) Moon travel seems imminently possible because several times Mr. Rusch mentions that his son is smart enough to go to the moon.
The hardware store carries new products such as an electric door opener and pop up toaster.
There is a new factory in Serenity called General Magneto.