In this State Standards-aligned Literature Kit(TM), we divide the novel by chapters or sections and feature reading comprehension and vocabulary questions. In every chapter, we include Before You Read and After You Read questions. The Before You Read activities prepare students for reading by setting a purpose for reading. They stimulate background knowledge and experience, and guide students to make connections between what they know and what they will learn. The After You Read activities check students' comprehension and extend their learning. Students are asked to give thoughtful consideration of the text through creative and evaluative short-answer questions and journal prompts. Also included are writing tasks, graphic organizers, comprehension quiz, test prep, word search, and crossword to further develop students' critical thinking and writing skills, and analysis of the text. About the Novel: Steinbeck recalls four loosely connected episodes from his own childhood, weaving them together into an unforgettable classic. Growing up on a remote ranch in California, ten-year-old Jody Tiflin's life is forever changed when his father gives him a beautiful red pony. With the help of his father's hired hand, Billy Buck, Jody commits himself whole-heartedly to the raising of this wonderful colt. When the colt grows ill and dies, Jody's world is shattered, as is his faith in Billy Buck, who had assured the boy that the pony would recover. Jody's father promises him a colt which will soon be born to their mare that dies at the birth. The stories weave together in effortless fashion, chronicling the coming of age story of young Jody Tiflin. All of our content is aligned to your State Standards and are written to Bloom's Taxonomy.