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A Breakfast Serials, Inc. Story 

BELLA BELLA 

Story by Jonathan London 

Illustrations by Jon Van Zyle 

Teacher’s Guide by 

Jan McDonald 

Rocky Mountain Readers

A Breakfast Serials, Inc. Story 

BELLA BELLA 

Story by Jonathan London Illustrations by Jon Van Zyle 

Teacher’s Guide by Jan McDonald Rocky Mountain Readers 

CONTENTS 

I. BEFORE READING 

The Story page 3 

The Author Standards 3, 6 3 

The Illustrator Standards 3, 11 3 

The Story of Desolation Canyon cont’d 4 

The Setting: British Columbia, Canada Standards 1, 8 4 

Sea Kayaking Standards 1, 8 4 

Tide Pools Standards 1, 7, 8 4 

Geoducks Standards 1, 8 5 

Chinese Immigration to Canada Standards 1, 2, 8 5 

Illegal Immigration Standards 1, 2, 8 5 

Mortuary Totem Poles Ch. 12 Standards 1, 8 5 

Word Splash for Chapter 1 Standards 3, 4 5-6 

II. DURING READING 

CHAPTER BY CHAPTER 7-23 

Vocabulary/Context/Definition Standards 3, 4 

Question/Predict/Evaluate Standards 3, 6, 9, 11 

The Newspaper Connection Standards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 

III. AFTER READING 

EXTENDING THE STORY 

Responding to a Serialized Story Standards 3, 4, 5, 6 24 

Exit Slips Standards 3, 4, 5, 12 25 

Four-Two-One Standards 3, 4, 5, 11 25 

Answers to Question/Predict/Evaluate 26-29 

National Standards 29 

This guide has been aligned according to the Standards for the English Language Arts, 

sponsored by the National Council for the Teachers of English and the International Reading 

Association. A list of these standards can be found at the end of the guide. 

2

THE STORY 

I. BEFORE READING 

When thirteen-year-old Aaron, his father, and two of his father's friends and their teen-age kids set out 

on a sea-kayaking adventure off the central coast of British Columbia, they fully expect to come across the 

bald eagles, wolves, bears, and even killer whales that they encounter. But what they aren't prepared for is 

a more sinister type of danger: human brutality in the person of a ruthless sea captain who is determined 

to become rich off smuggling illegal immigrants into Canada. Author Jonathan London spins a 

captivating tale that is full of excitement, beauty, suspense, rich characterization-and challenging moral 

questions. 

THE AUTHOR – JONATHAN LONDON 

Born a "Navy brat" in Brooklyn, New York, Jonathan London was raised on naval stations throughout 

the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Today he lives with his wife, Maureen, and their two sons, Aaron and Sean, in 

Northern California. 

Jonathan London started writing poetry in his late teens. Although he received a Masters Degree in Social 

Sciences and never formally studied literature or creative writing, he began to consider himself a "writer" 

about the time he graduated from college. After college he became a dancer in a modern dance company, 

traveled around the world and worked at numerous low-paying jobs as a laborer or counselor. 

However, during this twenty-year period, London continued to write. He wrote poems and short stories 

for adults, earning next to nothing despite being published in many literary magazines. "It wasn’t until I had 

kids of my own that I became a writer for children," he explains. "It all started with telling them stories when 

they were very young. Now I am making a living as a writer. A dream come true!" In addition to writing 

stories such as Desolation Canyon, London is the author of over 70 picture books, including the popular 

Froggy series. 

Question: As you read Bella, Bella, how would you describe Jonathan London’s writing style? What 

impresses you about his writing? Find specific examples that stand out in his writing. 

THE ILLUSTRATOR – JON VAN ZYLE 

“As a young boy, I knew I would become either an artist or a veterinarian when I grew up—a vet because 

my mother raised and trained working dogs and an artist because she was also an artist and taught my twin 

brother Dan and me how to truly “see” the world around us and put it down in drawings. I chose to make 

my career in art, but occasionally I also need to be a vet to our sled dogs. 

“In the more than thirty years that I’ve lived and painted in Alaska, I’ve remained true to my conviction 

to paint only what I truly know and understand. Because of my career in art I’ve traveled the world over, 

but I have never swayed from my subject: Alaska. 

“When I paint, I relive a small portion of my own life, a small story that evokes an emotion. It is that 

story, that emotion—not just the image—that I try to convey. My paintings come from my life: from 

running my Iditarod races, traveling with my dog teams, living in Indian and Eskimo villages, fishing and 

hunting, experiencing Alaska wildlife up close and personal— from living life in Alaska to the fullest. 

“While my art grows out of and depicts Alaska, the emotions and stories in my paintings are universal; I 

want to share these stories through my art. 

“Illustrating children’s books allows me the freedom to paint realistically, as I do, but from and for a 

child’s mind. For example, it allows me to paint the comical flapping of a rabbit’s large ears as it runs, 

something I would never be allowed to do in a “serious” hang-on-the-wall type painting.” 

Question: How does the art of Jon Van Zyle help us see the setting of the story? How does the artwork 

help the reader anticipate and unlock the plot of the story? What emotions can be seen in his work for each 

chapter? 

3

THE STORY OF DESOLATION CANYON CONTINUES…Chapter 1 

Jonathan London first wrote about Aaron, his dad, and their friends in Desolation Canyon, his first 

story for Breakfast Serials, Inc. These friends included Roger the Rogue, and his spunky daughter, Lisa, 

Willie, the tough old Vietnam veteran and his son, Cassidy. In Desolation Canyon this group of six 

explored the Green River in Utah on a whitewater rafting adventure just the year before. Aaron refers to 

this previous trip at various times in Bella, Bella. 

THE SETTING – BELLA BELLA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA 

Bella Bella, also called Waglisla, is an island village located on Campbell Island, 98 nautical miles 

north of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and 78 nautical miles west of Bella Coola. Since time 

immemorial it has been the home of the Heiltsuk Nation with a population of approximately 1200 people. 

It is the largest community on this Central Coast area and is called a sea paradise for kayakers with its 

inlets, bays, islands, and fjords. 

This area is known for its beaches, intricate shorelines, archaeological sites and wildlife. The 

following wildlife are noted in this story…bald eagle, seals, deer, dolphins, loons, brown bears, wolves, 

raccoons, sea otters, orcas, sea wolves, killer whales, starfish, sea anemones, osprey, tide pools, sitka 

black tailed deer, cormorant, terns, auklets, murres, black oystercatchers, barnacles, limpet snails, 

salmon, mussels, abalone, clams, sea urchins, purple hen scallops, sea cucumbers, cormorants, and 

geoducks. 

An excellent map, that shows many of the mentioned towns, can be found at: 

http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/rcbtoa/services/images/bc-map.gif 

SEA KAYAKING 

Sea kayaking can be a serene and leisurely way to view nature, like a walk on the beach or a hike in the 

mountains only in an easy to maneuver boat. Sea kayaking, sometimes called sea touring, will put you 

close to nature and satisfy your desire to explore the hidden aspects of an inlet or lagoon. In Bella Bella 

the kayaking trip turns from a serene experience to a suspenseful one. 

Some students may have little or no familiarity with this sport and the equipment. First is an index of 

sites for all things related to kayaking including types of boats, gear, paddling techniques, and health 

risks, including hypothermia and exposure. 

http://www.seakayak.ws/kayak/kayak.nsf/NavigationList/NT00000906 

Second, at this site there are video presentations that show various kayak strokes with a one person 

kayak. The kayaks in this story are all two person kayaks. Click on draw strokes, bow rudder, or low 

brace turn (Chapter 10) to see a kayaker demonstrating these strokes. 

http://www.kayaktraining.com/bow_rudder1.htm 

The third site is an easy to read explanation of the basics of sea kayaking including dos and don’ts and 

safety tips. http://www.shegear.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=6 

TIDE POOLS Chapter 5 

The kayakers enjoy the bounty of sea life found in tide pools. Tide pools form where pools of water 

collect in rocky hollows at low tide. Land dwellers can view the daily lives of ocean animals by sitting 

quietly on the edge of a tide pool and waiting. The secrets of this miniature ocean world will unfold. 

Science lessons come to life using these sites: 

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/edgeofsea/tidepool.html This PBS site offers lesson plans, a virtual 

tide pool, and more. 

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002608/Tidepool_home_paage.html Shows the plants and animals 

found in three different intertidal zones. 

http://www.poulsbomsc.org/tutorial.htm “A Coastal Journey”: Explore the northwest shore of America 

to learn about tide pools from Poulsbo Marine Science Center. 

http://www.gma.org/katahdin/tidepool.html Find out more here. 

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pugetsound/beaches/pool.html More animal pictures and tips. 

4

http://www.sacbee.com/static/archive/news/projects/pacificblues/tidepools.html A news article from 

the Sacramento Bee “State’s tide pools in trouble.” 

Question: Describe the world of a tide pool at three different tidal levels. Create a list of things to do 

when observing a tide pool so that the area remains “pristine” and the observer stays safe. 

GEODUCKS Chapter 6 

This funny looking clam’s name is actually pronounced “gooey-duck” which comes from the Native 

American word which means “digging deep”. A geoduck is the largest burrowing clam in the world found 

throughout the coastal areas of British Columbia. Geoducks burrow up to four feet deep in the sandy 

mud of the seaside coast where few predators can reach them and where divers have a hard time catching 

them. 

Geoducks are unique among clams because of the length of their necks. The Chinese refer to a geoduck 

as the “elephant trunk clam” because if its odd shape. The geoduck eats and breathes by sticking its neck 

just above the sand. The neck acts as a siphon which sucks in water in one tube where it extracts algae 

and oxygen, then spits out the water through another tube. 

Geoducks, sweet tasting and crunchy in texture, are considered a delicacy in China and used in 

chowders, stir fry, and sushi. Source: http://atn-riae.agr.ca/seafood/geoduck-e.htm 

CHINESE IMMIGRATION TO CANADA 

China provides Canada with more immigrants than any other country and British Columbia is the most 

favored Canadian province for Asian settlers making up 10% of her population. Vancouver has both 

welcomed and despised immigrants over its history. Many immigrants left China because of food 

scarcities, to join family members, to own land, and for work opportunities especially railroad jobs in the 

1800’s, and the gold rush. Chinese workers were obedient, hardworking and sent much of their earnings 

back to family in China. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/china/chinese_immigration.html 

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS 

Smuggling Chinese immigrants is big business - a $10 billion business run by organized gangs who 

manage to evade the law along the West Coast of the United States and Canada. Many immigrants turn 

to people smugglers (often called “coyotes” – Chapter 7) who send them across in dilapidated boats and 

shipping containers sometimes promising $60,000 in payment. 

Pictures can be found at http://www.library.ubc.ca/asian/FinalAsian/home.html (Click on Mainland 

China to Canada. The interviews with refugees section is interesting.) 

MORTUARY TOTEM POLES Chapter 12 

At this site, find a picture of a mortuary totem from the Haida people, an indigenous group from the 

Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of British Columbia, Canada: 

http://encarta.msn.com/media_461560604/Haida_Mortuary_Totem_Pole.html 

WORD SPLASH for Chapter 1 

Objectives: Assess prior knowledge Provide motivation for reading Set a clear purpose for reading 

Decipher vocabulary Allow for a variety of modes of learning 

Steps: 

1. Select 7-10 meaningful words or phrases from the reading selection. Be sure to include not only similar words that 

will indicate the subject of the selection but also some of the words and phrases that seem contradictory to the 

others. 

2. Give each student a sheet and ask him/her to spend a little time thinking about what kind of story or article could 

include all of these words or phrases. 

3. Ask students to form small groups of 3-5 (or you can assign them to groups). In their groups, they should decide what 

the story will be about. They should also create a narrative/explanation that will include all the words or phrases. 

5

4. Ask each group to share their narrative or explanation. As they listen, students should look for common elements. 

5. Ask students to list the common elements they heard on the board (or you could list them if students have trouble 

doing this.) 

6. Individually, students now read the selection. 

7. In small groups or as a whole class, discuss the similarities and differences between the narratives they constructed 

prior to reading the story and the actual story. It is very important to discuss the reasons for the differences. This 

discussion can highlight the number of possible approaches authors have available to them when deciding to write 

about a particular subject. Students’ constructions may be perfectly logical without being exactly the same as the 

story or explanation the author constructed. 

An advanced step: Once students have done a few of these word splashes, they could independently prepare them 

for themselves or each other. They should skim an article or story, selecting seven to ten words and phrases. If 

working independently, they could write those down in a log and then construct a story using them. If working in 

groups, they could prepare a word splash sheet for someone else to use before reading a selection. 

Double sea kayaks 

Old island village couldn’t be trusted 

wary tongue like a razor 

lurched and grasped the deck rail 

our tools of survival another trip with Cassidy 

seasickness churned the blackness of the Pacific ocean 

Don’t fall, punk next 10 days 

cold salt spray sling suddenly snapped 

6

1 Down to the Sea in Kayaks 

Vocabulary/Context/Definition 

rogue “You look green, Aaron,” Roger the Rogue said. (scoundrel, rascal) 

anxiety “Seasickness churned in my belly along with the butterflies of anxiety.” (worry, 

nervousness) 

wary “I was still wary.” (cautious, suspicious) 

reverberated “…the sound of the sea slapping the hull reverberated in my bones…” (resounded, rang) 

winch “…we had to be lowered into the sea by lines and a winch.” (lift, pulley, crank, hoist) 

slings “The deckhands slipped two slings beneath them – one fore and one aft of their 

cockpits.” (A looped rope, strap, or chain for supporting, cradling, or hoisting something) 

Question/Predict/Evaluate 

1. Who are the members of this adventure and what is their history together? 

2. What are Aaron’s doubts about this trip? Which one do you think might be most serious 

or hardest to overcome? 

3. Use a map to trace the travelers’ journey just to reach the ferry that is taking them to Bella Bella. 

4. How does the setting of this trip compare/contrast with your own part of the world? 

5. What gear would the kayakers need for a ten day trip? What would be their “tools of survival”? 

6. How do the kayakers unload their gear from the ferry to the wharf? 

7. The line holding the sling snaps…predict what the effects of this are on Aaron and his dad? 

The Newspaper Connection 

1. This kayaking trip will last ten days. Plot the main news events of the next ten days on a timeline. 

Then at the end of ten days decide which event in the news was the most important? Were any of these 

events connected or related in any way? 

2. Roger is called a rogue because of his past adventures as a river rat on the Rogue River. Look for 

examples in the news of a “rogue”? What makes this person a rogue? 

3. Aaron feels a great deal of anxiety on the first leg of their kayaking trip. Find other stories in the 

newspaper where anxiety accompanies doing something new or unknown. What kinds of activities make 

you feel anxious? 

7

2 First Nations 


dread “But dread soon started to seep back in…” (fear, anxiety) 

illegal 

immigrants “Willie told us there were fishing boats in these waters smuggling drugs – or possibly 

illegal immigrants from China.” (unlawful) (settlers, refugees) 

reservation “Bella Bella is an Indian reservation…” (A tract of land set apart by the federal government 

for a special purpose, especially one for the use of a Native American people.) 

oblivion “…I was …ready to dive into the oblivion of sleep.” (nothingness) 

menacing “…Cassidy had been a menacing presence during most of that trip…” (threatening) 


1. Where does the meaning of the title of this story come from? What is the meaning of the title of this 

chapter? 

2. Willie tells of other problems common in the waters of this area. What are they? 

3. What is the plan for this first leg of their trip? 

4. Does Cassidy seem “menacing” as this trip begins? 

What do you know about Cassidy so far and how would you describe him at this point in the story? 

5. Describe the fishing boat filled with young Indians. Are they menacing? Do they help or hinder the 

kayakers? 

6. This chapter ends with “– and Lisa screamed.” What do you predict happened? Could Aaron’s dream 

have foreshadowed this in any way? 

7. What questions do you have so far in this story? 


1. Aaron describes Roger and Willie as both leader types – always sure of themselves. Find examples of 

leaders in the news from the worlds of government, business, education, etc. What qualities make them 

leaders? Are they always sure of themselves? 

2. The kayakers are cocooned in their sleeping bags and float peacefully under the stars at the end of this 

chapter. Check the weather for British Columbia in today’s news. Would this time of the year be good for 

such a trip? 

3. Keep track of articles in the news about illegal immigrants and the issues surrounding immigration. 

Cut them out and use a bulletin board to display them. This will be important as the story unfolds. 

8

3 Wolf! 


tormentor “…I heard…Lisa swearing and promising death to her tormentor.” (someone who teases, 

annoys, or pains someone else) 

benign “…he looked like a sleepy, benign pirate.” (kind, gentle, harmless) 

tethered “We tethered our boats to tree snags for the night…” (secured, tied) 

gangly “…now I was getting tall and gangly.” (lanky, leggy) 

commercial “A commercial fishing boat was puttering by.” (profitable, money-making) 

brutal “The man was large, grim faced, brutal looking.” (evil, cruel) 


1. How does Cassidy torment Lisa? Why does he do it? 

2. How does Aaron feel about Lisa? What is your evidence since the story began? 

3. How do the kayakers stay dry? How will they eat? 

4. What do they experience as they island hop on this day? What are the pluses and minuses? 

5. How has Jonathan London created a suspenseful mood in the story so far? Point out specific words he 

uses to create this feeling. 

6. What connections does Aaron see between the lone wolf and the man on the commercial fishing boat? 

7. What do you want to find out in the next chapter? What problems do you predict the kayakers will 

face? 


1. Lisa and Aaron skim rocks but there is another meaning of the word skim – to read quickly to 

understand the topic and main points. 

a. Skim the newspaper for five minutes gathering as much information as you can from reading 

headlines, lead paragraphs, pictures and graphics. 

b. After five minutes, write down everything you learned from skimming the newspaper. 

c. Present what you learned to the class. 

d. When can skimming be a valuable skill? When should it be used? 

2. Aaron and friends are recreational users of the outdoors. The fishing boat is a commercial user. What 

are the differences? What are the responsibilities of each? Write an editorial explaining your views. 

9

4 Sea Wolves 


etiquette “Fishermen always wave back out here. It’s the etiquette of the sea.” (good manners) 

spit “Dad and I lugged our gear across the spit and found a good spot to pitch our tent.” (a 

narrow point of land extending into a body of water) 

unimpressed “Lisa acted unimpressed, watching only out of the corners of her eyes.” (uninterested) 

ego “Jealousy was an ax to my ego, and it cut me in half.” (self-esteem) 

receded “The hurt receded for awhile…” (lessened) 


1. Besides waving, what other things could be considered good etiquette when out on the sea? 

2. What does Cassidy’s tattoo say about him? Why do you think tattoos are so popular? Would you 

want one for yourself? 

3. What makes Aaron jealous? Have you ever felt this way about someone…or something? Why does 

Cassidy act the way he does? 

4. Roger says “this is the middle of paradise.” Would you agree? Why? What is paradise to you? 

5. What is the importance of Aaron’s dreams? 

6. What are the dangers that sea wolves create for the kayakers? 

7. What questions do you have so far about the story? 


1. Create an ad the local Chamber of Commerce could use to draw tourists to Bella Bella. Use an ad in 

the travel section as a model or create your own. 

2. Find three examples of art in the newspaper. What is art’s purpose? 

3. Create a piece of art that captures the geography and/or wildlife of Bella Bella. 

4. How does Jon VanZyle add to the story with his art? Write a cutline (caption) for the illustration for 

Chapter 4. Use the newspaper for a model of a cutline. 

10

5 Gunshots at Dawn 


leeward “We beached an hour later on the leeward side of a small, rocky island.” (on the side away 

from or sheltered from the wind) 

windward 

tide pools “On the windward side, we explored the most beautiful tide pools I’d ever seen.” (on 

the side exposed to the wind, antonym of leeward) (a pool of water remaining after a tide 

has retreated) 


1. What are Willie and Roger’s experiences with sea lions and killer whales? 

2. What’s on the menu in this chapter? 

3. How does Cassidy create tension at the campsite? What do you think of Cassidy’s statement that Aaron 

has smugglers on the brain? Do you agree? 

4. Aaron’s dad stands up for Cassidy. Why would he do this? Do you think Cassidy is immature as Lisa 

said? 

5. Aaron finds himself “steaming” at what has happened this night. Compile a list of synonyms for the 

word steaming. 

6. What could be the reason for the gunshots heard at the end of this chapter? 


1. Nature can be both beautiful and dangerous. Find examples in the news to illustrate both faces of our 

environment. 

2. Use the weekly food section of the newspaper to evaluate the nutritional value of the kayakers’ daily 

menu. Is their diet on the sea good for them? Are they missing anything in their diet? 

11

6 “Gooey Duck” Divers 


poachers “Poachers, I bet,” Willie said. (one who hunts or fishes illegally) 

pristine “Peace came over us amid the pristine islands…” (unspoiled, untouched) 

ornery “So why was the captain so ornery?” (grouchy, irritable) 

front “And I’m not sure that’s all they were doing. It might just be a front.” (an apparently 

respectable cover for secret or illegal activities) 


1. How do Willie and Roger try to explain the gunshots? 

2. Why do Roger and Willie try to engage the man in the yellow sunglasses in conversation? 

3. Describe the man in the yellow sunglasses, his body language, his look, his way of interacting, and his 

behavior. 

4. How does the man treat the geoduck diver? Explain the meaning of the play on words he uses “Two 

Wongs don’t make a white.” Why is this offensive? 

5. Explain the connection between geoducks, the scuba diver, Chinese illegals, smugglers, and the cry 

from the boat. 

6. If their suspicions are true about the man in the yellow glasses, what kind of danger could be ahead for 

the kayakers? What do you think is their next best course of action? 


1. The kayakers enjoy the pristine islands but by definition, how can kayakers keep the area pristine? 

Write an editorial explaining the responsibilities that people have when they enjoy the outdoors. 

2. Use the newspaper to investigate the reasons immigrants come to this country illegally. What do they 

gain? What do they lose? What are the risks? 

What should be done about it? 

12

7 Pirates 


stakes “If he’s runnin’ illegals, he’s playin’ for big stakes.” (something valuable risked on an 

uncertain outcome) 

speculation “Hold it now, mates” Roger said. “This is all speculation.” (guesswork, an opinion 

based on incomplete evidence) 

sushi “The he-man doesn’t eat at the sushi bar, hey.” (rice with raw fish wrapped in seaweed) 

coyotes “I’ve read about migrants…paying so-called ‘coyotes’ to sneak them across the border 

from Mexico.” (people smugglers) 

relish “He seemed to relish the story.” (enjoy)i 

mage “The image of those bodies burned in my mind.” (picture) 


1. Willie says the captain of the boat is playing for big stakes. What is he betting on here? What is he 

risking? 

2. Do you think the kayakers have enough information to believe they are smugglers, or are they letting 

their imaginations run away with them? 

3. What does Roger mean when he says “The sea is your garden? What is your opinion of the menu the 

kayakers have been eating on their trip? How do Lisa, Aaron, and Cassidy like the food? 

4. Despite the dangers presented by the captain of the boat, what have the kayakers been able to enjoy on 

this trip? 

5. What is the new meaning of “coyote” as it refers to illegal immigration? How do they add to the 

problem? 

6. What image does Aaron find himself thinking about? 


1. Locate articles that report the news in China. What is the main idea of these articles? How does China 

affect the United States and the rest of the world? 

2. Aaron said that the TV image of migrants who had died burned in his mind. Find pictures in the 

newspaper that could be called strong and/or haunting. Should newspapers print pictures that might be 

called disturbing? What if young people read the newspaper and these images affect them in a negative 

way? 

3. Invite an editor to your classroom to inquire how these decisions are made by a newspaper. What 

guidelines do they use to decide what photos to include? 

13

8 Tide Rip Pass 


foliage “The waxing moon was trapped in a tree, lost in foliage.” (cluster of leaves) 

bombarding “Soon we were all…bombarding the poor bear with rocks.” (attacking) 

rogue “And that was a rogue bear; brown bears rarely leave the mainland.” (a vicious and 

solitary animal) 

panic “Panic was kept at bay only by the sheer total concentration required to get us through.” 

(fright, terror) 

pulverized “…the sand (was) pure white and composed of clam shells pulverized by the ocean surf.” 

(crushed, ground up) 

silhouette “Through the trees was the silhouette of a boat…” (outline, shape) 


1. How did the kayakers choose to assail the bear? Was it effective? Was it the best thing to do? Would 

Lisa’s pepper spray have helped? 

2. How does Aaron react when his dad praises Cassidy? 

3. Answer Aaron’s own question: What if it had been smugglers? 

4. How would their experiences in Desolation Canyon have been important as they enter Tide Rip Pass? 

5. Do you think Aaron and Lisa’s first kiss will change things on the trip? Does Aaron have the right to be 

jealous of Cassidy? 

6. Compare and contrast Aaron and Cassidy from the beginning of the story. 

7. What questions do you have at the end of this chapter? 


1. Each serial chapter begins with the Story So Far, a brief review of the last chapter in one or two 

sentences. How would you write the Story So Far that would begin Chapter 9? 

2. Choose a front page news story and write a two to three sentence summary. What is the key to writing 

a good summary? 

14

9 The Sea Wolf 


dory “They dropped anchor…and lowered a dory from their stern deck.” (a small, narrow 

flat bottom fishing boat with high sides and a sharp prow) 

treacherous “…a Japanese fishing boat…had lost its net or capsized in a treacherous sea.” (unsafe) 

omen “It struck me as a bad omen.” (sign) 

synchronized “Dad and I were perfectly synchronized.” (coordinated, in step) 

careened “Then we careened down the face of a big roller…” (rushed headlong) 

capsizing “…within seconds we were capsizing.” (overturning) 


1. Answer Aaron’s own questions: 

a. “How did they know we were here?” 

b. “How could they land their fishing boat in this surf?” 

2. How do the three kids react to this threat? How might Cassidy’s past problems influence him in this 

crisis? Would it have been wise if they had split up? 

3. Why do you think Aaron’s dad pats Cassidy on the back after Cassidy’s rough comment? What special 

understanding do they seem to share? 

4. Dad uses a line from a song by Jim Morrison and The Doors. Does this phrase accurately describe the 

evening? 

5. What is the new plan and where does it take them? 

6. What happens when a two man kayak capsizes? What are the dangers? 


1. At fifteen Cassidy has made some bad choices and experienced run ins with the law. How serious were 

they? Search the news for similar stories involving teenagers. Identify the problem, the outcome, and the 

consequences of teens making poor choices. 

2. In the next chapter we may discover what happens with the smugglers, with the capsized kayak, with 

Cassidy and Aaron. Write three headlines showing your predictions of where the story will go next on 

each of these three conflicts. 

15

10 The Root People 


surge “Go with the surge!” Roger shouted. “Don’t fight it!” (rush, flow) 

lee “We rested in the lee of Goose Island. “ (an area sheltered from the wind) 

irrational “My first irrational thought was of the root people.” (illogical, crazy) 

mercy “My next thought was of the Sea Wolf – and Lisa, out there alone, at its mercy.” (idiom 

meaning without any protection against, helpless before) 

peeled “We started across Queen’s Sound…our eyes peeled for the Sea Wolf.” (on sharp lookout 

for) 


1. Do Aaron and his dad capsize? What does “brace” mean in kayaking terms? What is a haystack and 

how do you counter it? 

2. What is the plan to stay out of sight of the Sea Wolf? Who has the advantage in this cat and mouse 

game? 

3. What is the mood of the kayakers in this chapter? 

4. Has Cassidy added anything positive to the trip so far? Does he create only tension or is Aaron just 

too sensitive? 

5. What is the purpose of Dad’s story about the Tlingit people? Why did the author put this in the story? 

How does the chapter art add to the campfire story? 

6. Are they any possible answers to Lisa’s disappearance other than the Sea Wolf? 


1. Choose one of the six kayakers and write a Dear Abby letter from him/her. Address any of the 

conflicts in this story and ask for advice. 

2. Swap letters with another student and answer their letter providing sound advice for the problems as 

Dear Abby would. 

16

11 Skull 


indifference “Her smile made my heart glad; her indifference made me glum.” (coldness, unconcern) 

haggard “…and he looked haggard, as skinny as a scarecrow.” (worn, fatigued) 

hewing “…these people were still here…hewing dugout canoes from red and yellow cedar.” (make 

or shape with an ax) 

exhaustion We circled island after island…paddling till hunger and exhaustion sent us back to 

camp.” (tiredness, fatigue) 

imperative “It was the “unspoken imperative” as my dad would say.” (law, rule, command) 


1. What is the plan to find Lisa? 

2. Do you think Cassidy is responsible somehow for her disappearance? Does anyone think that? What 

happened between Cassidy and Lisa? 

3. Why would anyone want to explore a burial island? 

4. What is the “unspoken imperative?” What does that phrase mean? 

5. How did Cassidy get involved in the hunt? 

6. What danger might Lisa be in when they find her? 

6. What is the meaning of the human skull? How does this affect the story? 


1. Jonathan London makes his writing sing with similes and alliterative passages. 

Examples: 

a. “The usual twinkle in his eye was buried like a blackened coal.” 

b. “A lone loon, perhaps lost. Like Lisa, I thought.” 

Look for figurative language in the newspaper. Find examples and determine how these elements of 

writing added to the piece. 

17

12 Burial Island 


mortuary 

totem “A weathered, ancient mortuary totem leaned toward me from the trees.” (death pole to 

commemorate the life of a member of an Indian community when he dies) 

hypothermia “What I’m worried about is hypothermia.” (abnormally low body temperature) 

unconscious “Lisa was still unconscious.” (not conscious, knocked out) 

mock “He mock died, then sprung up and walked on his hands…” (fake, pretend) 


1. What is Lisa’s condition when they find her? How do they get her back to camp? 

2. What does the idiom mean “we could lose her?” How do they treat her for hypothermia? 

3. How does Lisa explain what happened to her? Do you think she had a good reason for leaving? If you 

were Roger, what would you say or do? 

4. What is Aaron feeling? Are these feelings normal? 

5. How has the Sea Wolf altered their trip? Is there anything else they could do besides hide out? 

6. How has Jonathan London built suspense into this chapter? What questions do you have at the end of 

this chapter? 


1. People often test their abilities against Mother Nature and end up risking their lives. Find examples of 

such stories in the news. What was the outcome of the test? Who won? 

2. Obituaries are one form of writing found in the newspaper. What are the purposes of an obituary? 

How could an obituary be compared to a mortuary totem? Find an obituary and discuss with a fellow 

student what you learned from it. 

18

13 Cat and Mouse 


stringer “I came back with the big fish dangling from a stringer…” (an open hook that slides 

through the end of a fish’s lower jaw to hold the fish on a chain after it is caught.) 

haven “…we decided to slip back out of the lagoon…and seek a better haven.” (safe place, 

refuge) 

tidal rip “When we got to the opening, a tidal rip slashed across the way…” (a body of water made 

rough by the conflict of opposing tides or currents.) 

talons “We hung upside down…clutched in the icy grip of the current – like the talons of an 

osprey…” (the claws of a bird of prey or fish hawk) 

pummeled “We hung upside down from our cockpits…pummeled by bubbles of light.” (pounded) 


1. What does the group do when they hear the Sea Wolf’s engine? Why do they split up? What do you 

think the captain would do if he found the kayakers? 

2. How do you know the Sea Wolf is seriously looking for them? 

3. Why does food taste so good when you are camping? 

4. When Aaron and Lisa talk, she tells him not to worry, she can take care of herself. Would you agree 

with her? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of being the only female on such a trip? 

5. Dad slips and bruises his elbow. What are the effects of his fall? 

6. When Lisa and Aaron paddle together they hope to “fly through the water like a dolphin.” Explain 

what actually happened. 

7. How do you right yourself in a kayak? 


1. Throughout our story, Willie has used charts to plan their trip and determine their location just as he 

does in this chapter. How does a newspaper make use of charts, graphs, maps, and tables? Find an 

example and explain how to read the information in the graphic and what it adds to the article. 

19

14 The Storm 


Eskimo roll “I’d never learned how to do an Eskimo roll…” (a technique used in kayaking to recover 

from a rollover in the water) 

instinctively “Instinctively, we pushed out of our cockpits and swirled around…” (naturally, 

automatically) 

adrenalin “Then with a bolt of adrenalin, I shot to the surface.” (chemical created by the adrenal 

gland in response to stress stimulating spontaneous nerve action) 

exposure “You’ll die of exposure if we stay here any longer…” (being unprotected from severe 

weather) 


1. How did Lisa and Aaron survive their rollover? What are the effects of this rollover? 

2. How would you describe Cassidy’s comments to Aaron? What is the game they are playing? Who is 

winning? 

3. The Sea Wolf is terrorizing the kayakers: it is unlawfully threatening and intimidating through the use 

of violence and force. Why? What would you like to see the kayakers do? 

4. What is the condition of the kayakers when they reach Hunter Island? 

5. Do you believe the captain of the Sea Wolf just wants to talk? What do you think he will do now? 

6. What would you like to see happen in the next chapter? 


1. In many ways, the actions of the Sea Wolf can be likened to terrorism and unfortunately terrorism is 

in the news almost daily. Find examples of terrorism in the news. What does a terrorist hope to 

accomplish? What means does he use? How does this compare with the Sea Wolf? 

2. The kayakers react as a team to save Lisa and Aaron from their rollover. What are the advantages and 

disadvantages of working on a team? The news will hold articles that highlight both teamwork and the 

independent Bspirit. Which do you prefer? Is one more important than another? 

20

15 Kidnapped 


vicious “With his black eyes darting in the fire glow, he looked more scared than vicious.” 

(violent, cruel) 

nausea “…I sat shivering and fighting nausea.” (vomiting) 

stench “The stench of vomit, dead clams, and human waste assaulted me…” (stink) 

bile “Bile leaped to my throat and the hatch above me banged open.” (fury, rage) 

hatch (an opening in the deck of a ship or the cover for such an opening) 


1. How many members of the Sea Wolf come after the kayakers? Who are they? What weapons do they 

use? 

2. How do the kayakers fight back? What weapons do they use? 

3. What ends the fight? Who suffered the most in the fight? 

4. Why does the captain kidnap Aaron? What does he intend to do with him? 

5. Once Aaron is forced on the Sea Wolf, what does he find on board? Are the passengers held against 

their will? 

6. Why haven’t the Chinese passengers been taken to Vancouver already since the boat is now two days 

north of the city? 

7. Would they really kill Aaron? 


1. The human conditions aboard the Sea Wolf horrify Aaron. Find articles that highlight the living 

conditions of others that differ from your own. Describe these conditions? What can be done to help? 

Find an article that is international, national, state, and local in origin. 

2. If a story were written about the passengers’ plight aboard the Sea Wolf it would be called a feature 

story. Feature stories are usually of human interest not hard news. Create a feature story about the plight 

of the passengers. What do you think will happen to them? 

21

16 Yin Yang 


fatigue “Fatigue rained down on me.” (tiredness, exhaustion) 

deported “All get deported if you report us.” (unwillingly returned to their native country) 

yin-yang “I must do right thing now. Yin yang.” (positive/negative, male/female, In Chinese 

philosophy, the two cosmic forces of creative energy, everything originates and depends on 

the interaction of these opposite and complimentary principles) 

commando “His face was blackened with charcoal, like a commando.” (a member of a military unit 

trained for hit and run raids into enemy territory) 


1. Who freed Aaron and why? Should Aaron keep the promise he made? 

2. Who is Wong? Is he a smuggler or a refugee? What does Wong mean…”I must do right thing now. 

Yin Yang?” 

3. How does the diver hope to convince the captain that Aaron had a knife? Will the captain believe it? 

4. What were the two plans put together to save Aaron? How do the plans represent the people involved? 

Which do you think was the better plan and why? 

5. Aaron comes to some realizations after this scare with the Sea Wolf. What does he learn? 

6. What is the mood at the end of this chapter? How does the author create this mood? What words 

does he use? 

7. How would you like to see Bella Bella end? What would make a satisfying ending to our story? 


1. You are a reporter for the Bella Bella News. Write the story of this chapter as a front page news story. 

Start with a strong lead including who, what, where, when, why and how. Include quotes from the 

characters you interviewed. 

22

17 Bella Bella 


mature “You were very…well, mature.” (grown up, adult) 

ruthless 

hostage “The captain was ruthless. He’d hold them hostage. (merciless) (a person held and 

manipulated by the demands of another) 

convictions “…the power of my convictions…made me sure I could persuade him.” (beliefs, 

opinions) 

resonated “…a wolf’s howl resonated through my blood – and made it sing.” (echoed) 


1. Aaron’s dad says he is mature. What does he mean by that? What words could your 

parents say that would mean the most to you? 

2. What is the promise Aaron made to Wong? Should he keep it? 

3. Describe the battle of opinions that is going on between Aaron and his dad and within Aaron’s own 

mind? 

4. If Aaron is able to persuade his dad, what course of action will they take? 

5. How might this decision be different if it involved the others on the trip? What would Willie and 

Cassidy do? What would Lisa and Roger want to do? Whose decision is it really? 

6. What do you think should be done? Whom do you agree with or do you have another solution? 

7. Aaron says when they returned to Bella Bella that he felt like a different person. What is different 

about him? 

8. As a reader, how are you different because of reading this story? What have you learned over these 17 

chapters? 


1. Making decisions that involve other people is very serious and must be well considered. Find examples 

of such decisions in the news – court decisions would be one place to start. How are decisions made in a 

democracy? 

2. After all that has happened in this story and all that you have read in the newspaper, what are your 

opinions about how the United States should handle the problem of illegal immigration? Write an 

editorial that clearly states your opinion, your solution, and the reasons behind it. 

23

III. AFTER READING 

Here are three ways to extend the story. Use after each chapter or when the story is 

completed. Students can be encouraged to use all the different ideas over the course of the 

story. 

1. Response Web for a Serialized Story 

2. Exit Slips 

3. Four-Two-One 

Write the 

action of this 

story as a front 

page news 

story including 

a strong lead. 

1. Response Web for a Serialized Story 

Choose a 

character other 

than Aaron and 

write this chapter 

from his/her 

point of view. 

Write a summary 

of this chapter 

using 5 important 

vocabulary 

words. 

Find a news 

article with a 

similar idea or 

theme as this 

chapter and make 

connections. 

Response 

Web for a 

Serialized 

Story 

Visualize what is 

happening and 

create a picture of 

it in any medium. 

Practice reading a 

part that includes 

20 lines or more 

and work on 

fluency. 

Ask your own 

questions 

about this 

chapter and 

share with a 

classmate. 

Identify words 

the author uses to 

paint his pictures 

and use them in a 

piece of your 

own writing. 

24

2. Exit Slips 

At the end of each chapter, students will respond in writing to what they have read. Exit slips are 

tools for determining what students have learned at the end of class or mini-lesson. Exit slips are handed 

in before students leave class. 

Suggestions: 

• What did you learn that was new today? 

• What questions do you have after today’s chapter? 

• What is unclear after today’s chapter? 

• What predictions do you have for the next chapter? 

• What 3 or 4 things are important to remember after today’s chapter? 

• What connections have you made to today’s chapter? 

• List 3 facts important about the story so far. 

3. Four-Two-One 

This strategy will help students reflect on what they have learned and help them determine what is 

important in a piece of reading. 

A. At the end of each chapter, students will individually write down four words, phrases, or 

sentences in the boxes that capture the most important ideas from the chapter. 

B. With partners or small groups, students will share their four words and look for those they 

have in common. From their lists of four, students will agree on two words, phrases, or sentences 

that are most important from today’s chapter. 

C. Then determine the one word, big idea, or theme that best represents the most important 

learning from the chapter. 

A. 

B. 

C. 

25

ANSWERS TO QUESTION/PREDICT/EVALUATE 

Chapter 1 

1. Aaron and his father, Lisa and her father, Roger, and Cassidy and his father, Willie. The three men were in 

Vietnam together and all six took a river raft trip together in Utah the previous summer. 

2. Aaron’s doubts include traveling with Cassidy whom he doesn’t trust, seasickness, being up since three a.m., 

tiredness, never having sea kayaked before. Answers will vary (AWV). 

3. On page 4 an internet source is noted for a map of this area. 

4. AWV. 

5. AWV. 

6. The kayaks cannot be directly off loaded from the ferry to the wharf. So two slings are slipped around the kayak 

and connected to a winch (pulley) by lines. The kayak is then lowered by the winch into the sea. 

7. AWV. 

Chapter 2 

1. The title is taken from an old island village called Bella, Bella located in British Columbia in western Canada. 

There is also an Indian reservation there. Native Americans are called First Nations in Canada. 

2. Willie says there are fishing boats that smuggle drugs and even illegal immigrants from China. 

3. The group head north along the coast and hopefully they can find a place to pull into and sleep for the night. 

4. AWV. So far you know that Cassidy was on the trip to Desolation Canyon last summer, he saved Aaron’s dad’s 

life, Aaron doesn’t trust him because Cassidy threw rocks at him and Lisa, practically drowned Aaron and almost 

caused a rattlesnake to bite Lisa. He is Willie’s 15 year old son, he has no mother, and he tends to speak his mind. 

Aaron calls him a “menacing presence”. 

5. The fishing boat was filled with “shadowy human shapes” that used searchlights and moved quickly in the water 

rocking their kayaks. They are loud and boisterous and like to kid the kayakers. AWV. They do help them by 

suggesting a place to sleep for the night. 

6. & 7. AWV. 

Chapter 3 

1. Early that morning Cassidy picks up Lisa still in her sleeping bag and holds her over the edge of the raft dangling 

over the water. AWV. 

2. Aaron has a crush on Lisa. “She was probably the prettiest tomboy to ever sail the seas.” “Her touch sent a thrill 

through my body.” Ch.1. When Aaron thinks Cassidy amuses Lisa, it hurts him. They skip stones and run on the 

beach together. 

3. The kayakers stay dry with spray skirts around the rim of the cockpit which cinches and doesn’t allow water to go 

beneath their waists. They will live off what they catch. They have coffee in the a.m. to warm up. The views are 

breathtaking, the sunrise is aglow, they see bald eagles, they see barges, ships, seals, they island hop, they follow 

deer paths, their backs and shoulders ache, the weather is an unknown. 

4. AWV. Cassidy is a “menacing presence.” The wolf could be watching them. A commercial fishing boat comes 

by, the man aboard it doesn’t wave, he was large, grim faced, brutal looking. The talk of smugglers unnerves Aaron. 

5. The man’s yellow tinted sunglasses blazed in the sun and they remind Aaron of a wolf’s eyes...watching. 

6. AWV. 

Chapter 4 

1. AWV. Controlling the wake of the boat so it doesn’t rock others, etc. 

2. AWV. 

3. Whenever Cassidy comes near Lisa or tries to impress her, Aaron is jealous. He doesn’t like it that Cassidy has 

rippling muscles and he likes to show off. Cassidy likes to show up Aaron as well. AWV. 

4. & 5. AWV. They could foreshadow what is to come in the story, or offer other clues to the plot. 

6. Sea wolves or killer whales, could overturn the kayakers and cause serious problems because of their size. 

7. AWV. 

Chapter 5 

1. Willie has seen killer whales fling sea lions like mice, killing them. Roger adds that killer whales will “fly right up 

the beach, snatch a sea lion or harbor seal, and wriggle back into the surf. But neither have heard of a whale 

attacking a kayaker even though kayakers have gone missing. 

2. The menu includes mussels steamed with garlic and scallions and lemon juice, poured over linguini with sea salt 

and pepper to taste. 

3. Cassidy creates tension by locking Aaron in a choke hold shutting off his air. Then Cassidy tells Willie to wash his 

own dishes. AWV. 

4. AWV. Aaron’s dad does trust Cassidy since he saved his life on the Desolation Canyon trip. 

26

5. & 6. AWV. 

Chapter 6 

1. Willie thinks the gunshot could be poachers who are hunting deer or commercial fishermen shooting seals, sea 

lions, or otter. Roger thinks it is crazies shooting at seabirds for fun. 

2. AWV. Willie and Roger try to make polite conversation saying hello and talking about the fishing. Perhaps they 

are trying to break the tension because the captain just stares and watches them. 

3. He stares with his sunglasses that don’t let you see in, he watches them, there is a rifle behind him, the boat’s 

name is Sea Wolf, his words are short, he offers little talk with no friendliness. 

4. The captain growls at Wong and talks menacingly to him; they hear a thump and a human cry from within the 

boat believing he has hit Wong. The phrase about “Two Wongs don’t make a white” is racially ugly. 

5. The kayakers talk that the captain could be smuggling illegal immigrants from China and that is where the cry 

came from. He could also be catching geoducks for money without a license. 

6. AWV. 

Chapter 7 

1. If the captain is smuggling for big money he is risking being caught and jailed. Just like modern pirates. 

2. AWV. 

3. The kayakers have been able to find their food right in front of them as if they went to the garden to pick 

tomatoes or lettuce and Roger expects everyone to help themselves and do their share of picking from the sea. 

AWV. They all have their likes and dislikes…Cassidy doesn’t like raw snails…but they are enjoying the food and 

Willie’s cooking. 

4. The raw beauty of the area and the range of wildlife are stunning in the air, on land, and in the sea. 

5. A coyote is a people smuggler who helps bring others into a country illegally but oftentimes also unsafely and 

for huge amounts of money. 

6. Aaron can’t get the image of a TV story that showed illegal immigrants locked and abandoned in the back of a 

truck by a coyote. The only thing left was a pile of dead bodies. 

7. AWV. 

Chapter 8 

1. Cassidy first threw a rock at the bear and then everyone followed except Aaron’s dad until the bear swam the 

other way. AWV. 

2. Aaron feels like he has been kicked in the stomach. He couldn’t remember the last time his dad praised him. 

3. What if ????? AWV. 

4. Their passage through Tide Rip Pass was like shooting the rapids in Desolation Canyon so they have 

experience and will be probably calmer than they otherwise would have been. 

5. AWV. 6. AWV. 7. AWV. 

Chapter 9 

1. They probably saw the smoke from their fire. They didn’t land their fishing boat in the surf, they used a dory 

to get from the fishing boat to the shore. 

2. The kids are shaken; they crawl out of their tent and head to the woods together. Cassidy has been in 

tough scrapes before so he may be braver or more street smart. AWV. 

3. AWV. Aaron’s dad may have been supporting Cassidy or patting him to stay calm since he makes a violent 

outburst. AWV. 

4. AWV. There is a real contrast between the beautiful line from the song and the violent men the kayakers have 

managed to avoid. 

5. The new plan is to get out at dawn, head south along the coast of Goose Island and round the southern tip before 

the wind picks up…and they are discovered by the Sea Wolf. 

6. AWV. They are sitting flat on their bottoms with legs in front of them and have to scramble to get out of the 

kayak. It is difficult. 

Chapter 10 

1. No they do not, they are able to use their paddle blades on an angle to “brace” themselves and keep themselves 

upright. A haystack is when a wave coming into shore is reflected off the cliff and bounces back against other waves 

coming in. Roger urges them to go with the surge and they eventually slid out and away from the cliffs. 

2. The plan is to hide out among the islands and lagoons, then shoot up Hunter Channel back to Bella Bella for the 

ferry four days later. No smoke in their fire, hug the shore and no paddling in daylight across wide open passages. 

AWV. 

3. The mood is jubilant at conquering the waves, but somewhat somber as they talk about serious subjects, enjoy 

the food, and tell stories in the light of the campfire. 

4. AWV. 

27

5. AWV. Perhaps this is just what you do around campfires or it could be connected to Lisa being gone in the 

morning. 

6. AWV. 

Chapter 11 

1. Roger and Aaron each take a kayak to look for Lisa. Aaron’s dad will scout the shoreline. 

2. AWV. But Willie did ask Cassidy what happened between them the night before. In the last chapter (the 

night before) Lisa went off to her tent, Cassidy followed her, then later Lisa stumbled back to the fire. She was tense 

and angry and when asked “Where’s Cassidy?” she replied, “Like I care.” 

3. AWV. 

4. The unspoken imperative was “we have to find her”. That means nothing else matters right then. 

5. After Aaron and Roger return to their camp to get food and rest, Cassidy overrules Willie and joins them for 

the next search in the afternoon. 

6. AWV. 7. AWV. 

Chapter 12 

1. Lisa is alive, wet, cold, a knot on her head, no blood, nothing broken. Hypothermia is the worry. They put her in 

the forward cockpit of Roger’s kayak, got her into a raincoat and adjusted her life jacket to support her head in the 

back. They stuffed bags around her to support her body in the kayak. 

2. We could lose her means she could die. Roger wraps her in their sleeping bags, zipping the bags together so they 

can share body heat while sleeping by the fire. 

3. Lisa says she couldn’t sleep and just went off exploring before everyone woke up. She got lost, slipped, hit her 

head on a boulder and passed out. AWV. 

4. AWV. 

5. The Sea Wolf has caused them to hide out during the day then paddle in the evening, finding another cove to hide 

out in. AWV. 

6. AWV. The motor from the Sea Wolf is very ominous. The last sentence in the chapter is threatening. 

Chapter 13 

1. The kayakers regroup and each of the three kayaks go a separate way to end up at the same cove. They split up to 

try and fool the Sea Wolf. AWV. 

2. The Sea Wolf is serious because they don’t give up, they keep following the kayakers, using a spotlight to sweep 

the coast. 

3. AWV. Perhaps being outdoors spikes your appetite. 

4. AWV. 

5. Because Aaron’s dad has bruised his elbow, Cassidy offers to take him in his kayak and paddle for him, Aaron 

gets mad about this idea, and Aaron gets teamed with Lisa in a kayak. 

6. What actually happens is that a tidal rip rushes across the opening of the lagoon and it becomes very challenging 

for a kayak to make it to open water. Everyone gets through except Lisa and Aaron who capsize. 

7. AWV. Experienced kayakers are able to do a roll and flip themselves over and upright again. 

Chapter 14 

1. Lisa and Aaron push out of their kayaks and head to the surface. The others help bring them to shore and save 

their kayak. They are freezing, soaked, their kayak almost sinks and everything in it is soaked. 

2. Cassidy is sarcastic in his comments. AWV. 

3. The Sea Wolf is trying to scare and threaten the kayakers so they do not report it to the authorities on smuggling 

charges. AWV. 

4. When they reach Hunter Island, they are hungry, cold, risking the dangers of exposure and frightened. The 

weather is threatening too as well as the Sea Wolf. 

5. AWV. 6. AWV. 

Chapter 15 

1. There are three men: the captain who has a gun against Aaron’s head, and two men dressed entirely in black 

holding spear guns. 

2. Lisa uses her pepper spray on the captain. Willie flings his knife grazing a man’s shoulder, Cassidy tackles the 

other man in black. Roger tries to use his fishing knife too. 

3. The fight ends when the captain, holding a gun to Aaron’s head, threatens to kill him if Roger doesn’t throw down 

his knife. Everyone follows his lead to save Aaron. The bad guys appeared to have suffered the most physical 

injuries but they have the upper hand with their weapons. 

4. The captain takes Aaron back to the Sea Wolf as hostage to get everyone else to do what he wants…not turn the 

captain in to authorities. 

28

5. Aaron is put below deck and finds five haggard Asian faces there. Aaron is bound by rope but the others aren’t. 

AWV. 

6. AWV. Perhaps because the captain has been busy following the kayakers. 

7. AWV. 

Chapter 16 

1. Wong, the Chinese diver, frees Aaron. AWV. 

2. AWV. Wong is a smuggler because he said he would go to prison if Aaron reports them. Wong says he must try 

to counter what the captain has done. Perhaps his one good deed with counteract the bad thing the captain has 

done by kidnapping Aaron. 

3. Wong purposely cuts himself to be able to convince the captain that Aaron attacked him with a knife and got 

away. AWV. 

4. Cassidy (wild and aggressive) was going to attack the ship like a commando with Willie. Roger and Aaron’s dad 

(thoughtful and cautious) wanted to go to the Coast Guard. AWV. 

5. Aaron realizes that Cassidy is really strong and courageous and he admires him for that. Cassidy really would 

have tried to save him. He also realizes how much his dad loves him. 

6. The mood is tense and urgent because they realize they have very little time to get away. “…they’ll be coming for 

us.” “We’ve gotta split. Pronto!” The night is still; they are listening for every sound. “If I had heard a motor cough 

into action, I think my heart would’ve exploded.” 

7. AWV. 

Chapter 17 

1. Aaron’s dad means he handled the whole thing in an adult way and he is proud of him. AWV. 

2. Aaron promised Wong he would not tell the authorities. AWV. 

3. Whether to tell the authorities or not is a topic of debate. Dad thinks they must report them; they are 

dangerous and threatening. Aaron is fearful for Wong who helped him escape and the illegals. What will happen to 

them if they tell? 

4. Aaron hopes to persuade his dad to report the Sea Wolf but only after tw0 days which would allow the illegals 

the time to get to their families in Vancouver. 

5. AWV. 6. AWV. 7. AWV. 8. AWV. 

NATIONAL STANDARDS 

This teacher’s guide has been prepared and noted according to the STANDARDS FOR THE 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, sponsored by National Council for the Teachers of English and 

the International Reading Association. 

1. Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of 

the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and 

demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and 

nonfiction, classic and contemporary works. 

2. Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the 

many dimensions (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human experience. 

3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate and appreciate texts. They draw on 

their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and 

of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter 

correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics.) 

4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to 

communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes. 

5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements 

appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes. 

6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media 

techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts. 

7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. 

They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, 

and people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience. 

8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, 

video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge. 

9. Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across 

cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles. 

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10. Students whose first language is not English make use of their first language to develop competency in the 

English language arts and to develop understanding of content across the curriculum. 

11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy 

communities. 

12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, 

enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information). 

Source: http://www.ncte.org 

Bella Bella is published by Breakfast Serials, Inc. Founded by Avi, this company promotes literacy 

by providing quality literature to our nation’s newspapers. You may contact Breakfast Serials, Inc. at: 

859 South York St. 

Denver, Colorado 80209 

Telephone: (888) 827-9014 

Web site: www.breakfastserials.com 

Jan McDonald, author of this teacher’s guide, received her bachelor’s degree in English education 

from Michigan State University, and her master’s degree in reading from the University of Colorado. She 

has worked as a literacy specialist for over 25 years and presents at conferences and workshops helping 

teachers create a rich curriculum using Breakfast Serial stories. She welcomes your feedback. 

Jan McDonald 

Rocky Mountain Readers 

9716 Deerfield Rd. 

Franktown, Colorado 80116 

720-253-7019 

Email: rockymountainreaders@hotmail.com 

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