Selection 2: Tanya’s Reunion

by Valerie Flournoypictures by Jerry Pinkney

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Realistic characters and events come to life in a

fictional plot.

Selection Summary

Tanya’s family is planning a reunion, and Tanya can’t wait to see where her grandmother grew up. Disappointed in the farm at first, Tanya eventually learns to see it through her grandmother’s eyes. She gains a new appreciation of her family heritage.

Key Concept:

Family Reunions

Key Vocabulary

arrangements

gathering

great-uncle

homestead

persisted

pitches in

reunion

satisfaction

Arrangements- plans made beforehand; preparations

We began making arrangements for the reunion months in advance.

Gathering- a coming together of people

We celebrated by eating lots of delicious food at our family gathering.

Great-uncle- a grandparent’s brother

I asked my great-uncle to tell me about his childhood.

Homestead- a house with land and buildings belonging to it

We traveled to the homestead for our family reunion.

Persisted- continued repeatedly

She persisted at improving her painting until it was perfect.

Pitches in- helps others get a job done

The man pitches in to help the driver load his truck.

Reunion- a meeting of group members who have been apart

My family held its reunion last summer after being apart for over a year.

Satisfaction- contentment; happiness

The woman felt a great deal of satisfaction after earning her college degree.

Now let’s take a look at some of the reading skills we will be practicing with this story...

Strategy Focus: Evaluate

Tanya is going to a family reunion. As you read the story, evaluate how the author helps you understand what Tanya is feeling.

Comprehension Skill Focus: Making

Inferences

You will focus on making inferences, or reading between the lines, in this story. Use clues from the story and experiences from your own life to help you.

Character Development Flow Chart

Story Eventor +CharacterDetail

My OwnExperience =

InferenceAboutCharacter

Enjoy Selection 2: Tanya’s Reunion

Check out www.eduplace.com for more fun activities related to this story!

Valerie Flournoy

Jerry Pinkney