Kidnapped Before Reading, Leaving Home

Start with Kidnapped Before Reading, Leaving Home, then use the discussion sheets in chapter order as students read. Save the summary sheet, Parting at Corstorphine, for the end of the novel.

Quote David and Mr. Campbell as David leaves Essendean in 1751, then predict what waits at the Shaws. The directions on the page read: Read the passage closely. It continues on the next page. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade novel studies, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

In 1751, seventeen-year-old David Balfour goes to his uncle Ebenezer, who cheats him of his inheritance and has him kidnapped onto a ship. At sea David meets Alan Breck Stewart, and the two flee across the Scottish Highlands together. The novel is about loyalty and friendship between two very different young men.

David is a Lowlander and a Whig who supports King George, while Alan is a Highlander loyal to his clan's chief, Ardshiel. Kidnapped, Highland and Lowland Loyalties has students quote Chapter XII to explain how this difference could cause trouble. The quarrel in the heather shows it does.

Yes. The chapters are full of suspense, the friendship has real conflict, and the Scots dialogue gives practice with context clues. These sheets give students short passages to read closely with questions that ask them to quote the text.