Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-3

Reading Check

1. What is T.J.’s legal first name?

2. What does T.J. decide to call his swim team?

3. What is Oliver Van Zandt saving money for?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What event does T.J. believe is the beginning of the chain of events in the novel?

2. How does T.J. kindly convince Chris to stop wearing the varsity jacket?

3. How did the conflict between T.J. and Rich Marshall begin?

Paired Resources

“Common Views and Myths About Bullying”

• This factsheet from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers brief and clear responses to common misunderstandings about bullying.
• This resource relates to the theme of Violence and Bullying.
• What kinds of bullying happen among the students in Whale Talk? Based on the factsheet you just read, what advice would you give T.J., Chris, and others in this story? What do you think the adults around T.J. should be doing differently to prevent bullying? Are any of the adults being bullies or encouraging bullying? What can students do when adults are part of the problem?