The Watcher

The Watcher

By James Howe

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Copyright 1997

A young girl spends her days watching a lost lifeguard and a confused boy on the beach. The young boy notices the girl is watching him and creates her story in his head. The lifeguard also notices the girl watching him, which isn't unusual for him, but this time it's different and he wonders what is going on with her.

Mysterious, Engaging, Complex, Deep, Unique

Reading Level/Lexile Level

6th Grade/890L

Suggested Delivery

Independent 

Electronic Resources

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Watcher/James-Howe/9780689801860

This is the publisher page for the book, The Watcher. It has information about the book, the price, and other books James Howe has written. 

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/james-howe

This is scholastic's biography page for James Howe. It has his bio, an interview with the author, and other books he has written. This website is useful for students who are interested more in the author. 

Teaching Suggestions

1. You can use this book when teaching appearance vs. reality. 

2. Discuss writing in different perspectives, first, second and third.

3. Use this book to talk about perspective, where what you see and know may be different than what another person see's and knows. 

Vocabulary

1. Invisible

2. Third person

3. amidst

4. antiquated 

5. Cancer

6. cyst

Before Reading

Before reading this story the teacher will discuss the set up of the book, this will prepare the students for what they will be reading. The book is set up in different perspectives but it doesn't specify when it shifts perspectives. The teacher will also introduce each character using their names so the students will be able to read with more understanding. 

During Reading

While reading the students will keep a character map. This will help the students follow the story because they switch from one person to the other without any indication, so writing down information about each character may help them keep up with the book. The character map will include their names, important information, and certain characteristics about that character.

After Reading/Writing Activity

After reading this novel the students will choose one of the three characters and write a journal entry in their perspective. This journal entry needs to be in that characters voice and talk about the things the character is interested in. 

Howe, J. (1997). The watcher. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.