Problem: When I was in primary school, sometimes I would meet a girl of the same age as me. Lisa was never active, but she was always very sweet and nice. In the 5th grade she came to my class.

She was absent a lot , and one day I had the courage to ask why. She told me she was sick, and she explained she wore a wig because her medicine made her lose her hair. We left it at that. Anytime Lisa came to class--seldom--I would hang around with her on the playground.

I received much ridicule from my friends for this because they thought I was ignoring them for Lisa. My family education taught me to be nice, and I felt Lisa's needs were much more important than others I knew.

It had been months since Lisa was in our class, and one day our teacher was crying. She explained Lisa died the day before and would no longer be our classmate. She told us Lisa had fought a battle with cancer for years.

I was shocked. Lisa never spoke of her illness as if it could kill her. Well, all these years I have kept Lisa in my mind and heart. When I go through the important events in my life, I think of Lisa.

I've had a strong wish recently to find her mother and father. I'd like to tell them that though they never met me, their daughter had a sweet effect on my life. I have no idea what her parents' first names are. I write to your column and hope you can point me in the right direction.

Lisa was such a lovely girl. Maybe her parents would be comforted by the fact that after all these years they are not the only ones who remember her.
1. Who came to the author's class in fifth grade?
2. Why was she losing her hair?
3. Why was the teacher crying?
4. Were their friends accepting of the attention they were showing Lisa?
5. Why was Lisa sick?
6. How long did Lisa miss class before the teacher learned she died?
7. Who is the author searching for?
8. Did Lisa have a positive effect on the author's life?
9. How did he feel when he learned that Lisa died?
10. What did Lisa wear because of her hair loss?
Answer: 1. Lisa
2. her medicine
3. Lisa died
4. No
5. She had cancer
6. months
7. Lisa's mother and father.
8. Yes
9. shocked
10. a wig

Problem: CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF, AND JO MAKES PEACE

Jo's face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon her, and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important. Meg observed it, but did not trouble herself to make inquiries, for she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries, so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask. She was rather surprised, therefore, when the silence remained unbroken, and Jo assumed a patronizing air, which decidedly aggravated Meg, who in turn assumed an air of dignified reserve and devoted herself to her mother. This left Jo to her own devices, for Mrs. March had taken her place as nurse, and bade her rest, exercise, and amuse herself after her long confinement. Amy being gone, Laurie was her only refuge, and much as she enjoyed his society, she rather dreaded him just then, for he was an incorrigible tease, and she feared he would coax the secret from her.

She was quite right, for the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected a mystery than he set himself to find it out, and led Jo a trying life of it. He wheedled, bribed, ridiculed, threatened, and scolded; affected indifference, that he might surprise the truth from her; declared he knew, then that he didn't care; and at last, by dint of perseverance, he satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr. Brooke. Feeling indignant that he was not taken into his tutor's confidence, he set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight.
1. Who was a troublemaker?
2. Who was afraid that he'd find out something from her?
3. What were some of his methods for doing so?
4. What did Meg devote herself to?
5. What effect did this have on Jo?
6. Did she feel at ease keeping a secret?
7. What did she have trouble doing because of it?
8. Did someone notice this?
9. Did she ask her about it?
10. Why not?
11. Did her plan to get the secret out of Jo work?
12. Who replaced Jo as nurse?
13. What did Laurie start planning to do?
Answer: 1. Laurie
2. Jo
3. He wheedled, bribed, ridiculed, threatened, and scolded.
4. Her mother
5. It left her to her own devices
6. No
7. she found it hard not to look mysterious and important
8. Meg
9. no
10. she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries
11. no
12. Mrs. March
13. he set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight

Problem: CHAPTER XIV

GOOD-BYE TO OAK HALL

"I'll wager Merwell is the maddest boy Oak Hall ever saw!" said Shadow, when the excitement had subsided.

"Poole is a sneak, and no mistake," said Sam. "I wonder if he'll go and tell old Haskers or Doctor Clay?"

"He won't dare--for he is afraid we will tell about the fire-crackers," answered Dave. "Yes, he is a sneak."

"I don't see, now, how I could ever make a friend of him," declared Gus Plum. "Now, in one way, I like Merwell--he's a fighter and he doesn't care who knows it."

"Yes, but he's got a wicked temper," observed Roger. "He reminds me of Nick Jasniff. They would make a team."

"Where did he come from, anyway?" questioned Messmer.

"From some ranch out West. His father is a big cattle-owner. He is used to life in the open air, and one of the fellows says he can ride like the wind."

"We must watch him," declared Phil.

"I can't do that--since I am going away," answered Dave. "I'll have to leave you chaps to fight it out."

"Do you think they'll come back or send Haskers?" asked Buster Beggs.

"It might be wise to leave this spot," answered Phil. "There are plenty of places we can go to."

It was decided to move, and several baskets which had been stored away in the bushes were brought forth.

"I've got an idea!" cried Henshaw. "Let us go to that old barn on the Baggot place. Nobody will disturb us there."
1. Who is the angriest kid?
2. What are they worried about telling?
3. What is a characteristic that he has that he doesn't worry about who knows?
4. Is he a calm person?
5. Where is he from?
6. What does his dad do?
7. Where do they decide to go?
8. Where is it?
9. Will they be alone?
10. Who do they consider a good teammate for him?
Answer:
1. Merwell
2. about the firecrackers
3. He is a fighter
4. no
5. out West
6. owns cattle
7. The old barn
8. The Baggot place
9. yes
10. Nick Jasniff