Question 1. Reread pages 8–10. What words or phrases describe the setting? What does this tell us about the setting?

Answers:

Page 8: Steep dirt path, twisty hill, gorge, bridge, neighbors across the bridge, seven houses within half an hour’s walk, Ketchums a mile away.

Page 10: Plants all over the mountain.

Question 2. Callie and Maisie have different personalities. What words describe each?

Answers:

Maisie: Likes order, responsible, confident, caring, loving, cautious, fearful of bridge.

Callie: Boisterous, leader, bold, theatrical, adventurous, fearless.

Question 3. Re-read page 8. How does the author personify the bridge?

Answer: “A shaky old skeleton… ripples and swings in the breeze.” “Rocking like a boat in a storm.” These phrases show Maisie’s fear.

Question 4. What effect does the environment have on each girl?

Answer: The seclusion makes them rely on their environment. Callie wants city life and is adventurous. Maisie wants to stay on the mountain, is fearful of the bridge, but is skilled in remedies and helps Mama doctor neighbors.

Question 5. On pages 18–20, Callie is hurt and says, “You’re the only one who can help me.” What does this mean?

Answer: Maisie realizes she has the ability to help. She uses herbal medicine, tends Callie, and Mama affirms, “more than one way to cross a bridge.”

Question 6. On pages 24–26, how did Maisie help Callie?

Answer: She boils water, prepares a yarrow poultice, makes feverfew tea, applies the poultice calmly, comforts Callie, and lulls her to sleep.

Question 7. What is a poultice? How did Maisie make one?

Answer: A poultice is a healing pack. Maisie made one by putting yarrow in muslin, soaking it in hot water, and applying it to stop bleeding.

Question 8. At the end, Maisie says the mountain will always be her home. What does “it’s going to need me too” mean?

Answer: She will become the healer, following Mama’s example.

Question 9. What words show that Maisie changed over the story?

Answer: At first she was afraid of the bridge, but later she helps Mama with doctoring. She considers visiting the city but decides the mountain will be her home.

Question 10. On page 28, Mama says “more than one way to cross a bridge.” What does this mean?

Answer: It has both literal and metaphorical meaning. Maisie didn’t cross the bridge physically, but she faced her fears by using her knowledge to help Callie.

Vocabulary

• Page 20: Kindling
• Pages 10, 15, 23, 26: Herb medicines (tansy, yarrow, feverfew, poke leaves, chickweed)
• Pages 21–25: Poultice

More Words Worth Knowing:

• Page 17: Enchained
• Page 21: Quivery
• Page 24: Kettle
• Page 26: Thrashes, lulling

Students Figure Out Meaning from the context:

• Page 8: Gorge
• Page 20: Muslin, fret
• Page 16: Jubilant
• Pages 18, 23: Pitches
• Page 18: Tottery
• Page 28: Hollered

Task

In The Bridge Dancers, Maisie faces a crisis and a defining moment that changes her. Describe the challenges she faced, how she solved the problem, and how it changed her perspective. Use text evidence.

Answer:
When Callie is injured, Maisie chooses not to cross the bridge but to use her knowledge of herbal remedies. Mama acknowledges “more than one way to cross a bridge.” In the end, Maisie helps Mama with doctoring and finds herself.

Task

Identify language that creates danger/excitement.

Some examples:

• “Our bridge is just a shaky old skeleton” (metaphor, p. 8)
• “The bridge is rocking like a boat in a storm” (simile, p. 8)
• “In the gloomy light… ghost-like and beautiful” (imagery, p. 10)
• “My heart is jumping” (personification, p. 13)
• “Quick as lightning” (simile, p. 13)
• “Ropes groaning and boards creaking” (personification, p. 21)
• “Wind and trees whipping at the sky” (personification, p. 21)
• “Fear in me… stings my eyes” (personification, p. 21)
• “The bridge pitches and plunges” (personification, p. 23)

Activity

Write a persuasive letter from Maisie’s perspective explaining why she should replace her mother as healer.

Possible answers:
Maisie’s calmness in emergencies, her knowledge of herbal remedies, and her experience assisting Mama.