Search for the Shadowman

1. Search for the Shadowman By Joan Lowery Nixon

2. Chapter 1– Vocabulary • genealogy (p. 2) 2. desperado (p. 2) 3. conceited (p. 5) 4. dignified (p. 5) 5. impressive (p. 5) 6. decrepit (p. 7) 7. indignation (p. 7) 8. quavery (p. 9)

3. Chapter 1 – Notes • Characters: Andy Thomas (Main) Miss Winnie Grandma Dorothy J.J. Gasper Miz Minna Mr. Hammergren Mrs. Thomas • Setting: Fall, West Texas, Hermosa • J. J. and Andy = best friends • Project from history teacher (Mr. Hammergren) on family history • Conflict between Miz Minna and Miss Winnie

4. Chapter 1– Quote • What did Miss Winnie mean when she said, “Some stories are for the telling, some are not…?” (p. 8)

5. Chapter 2 – Vocabulary • dutifully (p. 10) • wary (p. 11) • frugal (p. 11) • intrigued (p. 14)

6. Chapter 2 – Notes • Family moved to West Texas • Family was poor– money was stolen • Coley Joe (Cole Joseph) name marked out in family Bible

7. Chapter 2 – Quote • “But the money he’d saved to build a house and buy stock … that was stolen.” (p. 11) • Why was this statement so shocking and interesting to Andy?

8. Chapter 3 – Vocabulary • thong (p. 20) • preening (p. 26) • plaintively (p. 27)

9. Chapter 3 – Notes • Andy wanted to ask Miz Minna about Coley Joe (“mystery man”) • Marked out of Bible if disgraces family • Andy talked to Miz Minna about Coley Joe but she wouldn’t tell him

10. Chapter 3 – Quote • When Miz Minna warned, “Sometimes asking too many questions leads to trouble.” (p. 28) • What was she warning him not to ask? Why was she warning him?

11. Chapter 4 – Vocabulary • exasperation (p. 30) • mementos (p. 30) [memento] • shards (p. 31) [shard] • solemnly (p. 32) [solemn] • warily (p. 37) [wary] • bandied (p. 38) [bandy]

12. Chapter 4 – Notes • Mom took Bible and some papers from the box to copy and list family • Andy broke frame of Bonner picture and sees Coley Joe for the 1st time • Andy tried to sneak questions in about Coley Joe to Miss Winnie • In 1879 CJ was 23 • CJ did not move with family to Corpus Christi • The family thought CJ stole the money

13. Chapter 4 – Notes continued… • Andy received phone call warning him to quit “snooping” • Coley Joe disgraced family by supposedly taking the family’s money

14. Chapter 4 – Quote • Andy declared to J.J., “I’m going to prove that Coley Joe was a good guy.” (p. 33) • Do you think Andy really believed that Coley Joe was innocent? Why?

15. Chapter 5 – Vocabulary • frustration (p. 40) • gruesome (p. 44) • wistful (p. 50) • tombstone (p. 42) • isolated (p. 44) • hodgepodge (p. 51)

16. Chapter 5 – Notes • Andy & J.J. decide to go to the cemetery– tombstones • Mom says no – Dad says yes • Andy uses internet for project (Hunter) • Locates poetry book by Grace Elizabeth Bonner • Dreamed about GEB

17. Chapter 5 – Quote • Andy told his mom, “I just had a nightmare.” (p. 52) • Why did he consider his dream a nightmare?

18. Chapter 6 – Vocabulary • confidential (p. 54) • wrought-iron (p. 56) • obelisk (p. 57) • mottled (p. 58)

19. Chapter 6 – Notes • Andy talked to Mr. Hammergren about project (CJ) and gets advice • At the cemetery: Malcolm John Bonner – snake head, storm comes, grabbed by Elton • Elton talks to the dead

20. Chapter 6 – Quote • Elton stated, “I can.” [meaning he could talk to the dead] (p. 62) • Did he really mean he could talk to them? Why or why not?

21. Chapter 7 – Vocabulary • serpent (p. 64) • passel (p. 65) • upstarts (p. 71) [upstart] • rigors (p. 73)

22. Chapter 7 – Notes • At dinner (Andy, Mom, Dad) discuss MJB tombstone • Shakespeare – “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” CJ? • Elton – talks to the dead?! • Andy gets e-mail about love letters from CJ to Felicity from “El Paso” (he made it)

23. Chapter 7 – Notes continued… • Interviewed Grandma Dorothy & Grandpa Zeke • Read letters: CJ had arrived in El Paso, planned to buy livestock, and he promised to go back to marry Felicity!

24. Chapter 7 – Quote • From King Lear (by William Shakespeare) • “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” [quote from Malcolm’s tombstone] (p. 64) • If this is talking about Malcolm John Bonner and Coley Joe, what does it mean?

25. Chapter 8 – Vocabulary • query (p. 77) • immaculate (p. 80) • negotiate (p. 80)

26. Chapter 8 – Notes • History class – discuss progress of projects • Andy tells that he received love letters • Andy talked to Miz Minna about family trees • Posted another question on the internet • Headed to the cemetery to see Elton

27. Chapter 8 – Quote • Andy asked J.J., “You want me to give up?” (p. 79) • Does Andy want to give up? Why or why not? • Does J.J. want Andy to give up? Why or why not?

28. Chapter 9 – Vocabulary • thrive (p. 88) • ominous (p. 90) • orthodontist (p. 90)

29. Chapter 9 – Notes • Find out info from the Bonners • Looking at the box of stuff – thought about more questions • 1st letter, 2nd poetry book (on nightstand) 3rd thong • Andy received threatening mail/letter

30. Chapter 9 – Quote “Who else did you tell?” Andy frowned as he thought. “Mom and Dad, of course. And Grandpa and Grandma… and you.” A stray thought zapped Andy like the painful sting of a mosquito…. “Thanks for reading the letter. I’ve gotta go.” • Who was the “you” Andy was talking about? • Why did Andy all of a sudden feel a “sting” and want to rush off?

31. Chapter 10 – Vocabulary • dawdled (p. 95) [dawdle] • populace (p. 98) • patrons (p. 103) [patron] • battered (p. 98) [batter] • indictments (p. 99) [indictment] • Archives (p. 103) [archive]

32. Chapter 10 – Notes • Andy raked leaves at home and grandparents finally (because of being upset about J.J. and the 2 threats) • Received e-mail from a “DrPR” about Texas history (Salt Wars) in San Elizario • Read about it at library but runs into more questions • “frustrated” – Mrs. Alonzo helps  will find out who were killed there (in San Elizario) Was it CJ?

33. Chapter 10 – Notes continued… • Also, who was CJ’s friend (mentioned in letter to Felicity) • Someone in the shadows. Who is it?

34. Chapter 10 – Quote “It’s tough being a detective,” he said. (p. 100) • Why did Andy tell the librarian it was tough being a detective? • What was he looking for at this point in the library?

35. Chapter 11 – Vocabulary • fortifying (p.108) [fortify] • snob (p. 109) • miscellaneous (p. 108) • agenda (p. 111)

36. Chapter 11 – Notes • J.J. was in the shadows – came to see if Andy wanted to play video games or something • Sorted through Bonner papers (Andy/J.J.) • At community theater – Miz Minna tells Miss Winnie what Andy is doing

37. Chapter 11 – Quote “Was that why I saw you by the mailbox, J.J.?” (p. 106) • Why did Andy ask J.J. about being at his mailbox?

38. Chapter 12 – Vocabulary • intermission (p. 118) • double-cross (p. 118) • recounted (p. 119) • adolescent (p. 120) • compromise (p. 121) • conclusive (p. 122)

39. Chapter 12 – Notes

40. Chapter 12 – Quote • “I need to know that you respect what I have to say and that you trust me.” (p. 120) • Why did Andy say this to his parents and what was he trying to accomplish?

41. Chapter 13 – Vocabulary • superstitious (p. 130) • beseechingly (p. 133)

42. Chapter 13 – Notes

43. Chapter 13 – Quote • “It was Coley Joe!” he shouted. “I found Coley Joe!” (p. 132) • Why was Andy so excited he had finally found out about Coley Joe? • Why was where Coley Joe important to Andy, Miss Winnie, and the plot of this book?

44. Chapter 14 – Vocabulary • ridiculous (p. 140) • scandal (p. 145)

45. Chapter 14 – Notes

46. Chapter 14 – Quote • “The first J.J. was a clerk, in a low-paying job. How did he suddenly come into enough money to move to Hermosa and establish both a store and a bank?” (p. 141) • What kind of reaction did Andy expect from Miz Minna when he asked this? What is the correct answer to the above question?

47. Last Chapter – Vocabulary • strongbox • incriminate

48. Last Chapter – Notes

49. Last Chapter – Writing Response • What would you do if you were Andy with the information he discovered about Coley Joe and the first James Jonathan Gasper?

50. Author’s Notes