Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

By: Sharon Creech
Joanna Cotler Books, 2003
Reading Level: 4.2 (Accelerated Reader)
Independent Read


Book Description: Realistic Fiction, Chapter Book

Granny Torrelli seems to always have the answers.  When Rosie gets into a fight with her friend Bailey, who struggles with a problem of his own, Granny Torrelli seems to know how to fix the problem.  When a new girl moves into the neighborhood and threatens Rosie's relationship with Bailey, Granny Torrelli uses her words of wisdom to offer comfort.  Award winning author Sharon Creech focuses on the importance of family and friendship in Granny Torrelli Makes Soup.

*Teaching Suggestions for Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

Supporting Electronic Sources:
SharonCreech.com
Sharon Creech's personal website offers during and after reading questions.  In addition, Sharon shares connections between events in the book and memories from her childhood.
Scholastic
This website offers literary circle questions as well as extension activities and vocabulary words that should be reviewed before or during reading.  Suggested answers to literary questions are also available.

Vocabulary:
Italian- eccola, molto, bambini, bene, piccolino, cavatelli, niente
English- ghastly, nuisance, mutter, enchanting, impulse, Braille, mangle, slosh, assess

Teaching Suggestions:
-Discuss how to determine the theme(s) of a story using information and key events from the text
-Examine conflict and resolution, focusing on the relationship between Rosie and Bailey

Comprehension Strategies:
Before Reading- Review both the English and Italian vocabulary words before reading the story.  Students will need to know these words in order to independently read the story.
After Reading- Use a conflict-resolution chart to examine the main conflict in the story and determine how it was resolved.

Writing Prompt:
Pretend you are Rosie and write and apology letter to Bailey.  Mention how you feel about the situation and defend yourself as to why you wanted to learn Braille.  Offer some resolution strategies that could possibly make the situation better.