Prereading Task for the Novel “Guts” by Gary Paulsen

1. Research the Author:
   • Find information about the author, Gary Paulsen. What other books has he written? What is his writing style known for? What awards has he received?
2. Predict the Plot:
   • Look at the cover of the book and read the blurb or summary. Based on this information, make predictions about what you think the story will be about. What themes or topics do you think the book will explore?
3. Explore Survival Stories:
   • Research and read about other survival stories, both fiction and non-fiction. What are some famous survival stories that you know of? How do these stories typically unfold? What challenges do the characters face? How do they overcome them?
4. Reflect on Personal Fears:
   • Take a moment to reflect on your own fears or phobias. What are you most afraid of? How do you react when faced with fear? Have you ever had to overcome a fear? How did you do it? Write a short reflection on your personal fears and experiences.
5. Journal Entry:
   • Imagine you are about to embark on a dangerous adventure or face a challenging situation. Write a journal entry describing your thoughts, emotions, and expectations. How do you think you would react in such a situation? What would be your biggest concerns or fears?
6. Vocabulary Exploration:
   • Look up and write down the definitions of any unfamiliar words from the blurb or summary of the book. Try to use these words in sentences to deepen your understanding of their meanings.
7. Discussion Questions:
   • Prepare a list of discussion questions based on the blurb or summary of the book. These questions can be about the themes, characters, or potential conflicts in the story. Use these questions to facilitate a discussion with your classmates or reading group once you have finished reading the novel.