Crazy Lady

Intriguing, Guiding, Enlightening, Tranforming, Engaging
Crazy Lady by Jane Leslie Conly

Published by HaperCollins Copyright 1993
Newbery Honor Book 1994 && Best Books for Young Adults 1994

Conly starts off the book discussing a group of guys that get bored and terrorize the "crazy lady", as we later discover to be Maxine. The main character, Vernon Dibbs starts off being a part of that group, but when his first seventh grade report card comes in, he has bigger things to worry about. He soon asks Maxine about a tutor when bringing her potatoes home to her, blurting out that he is failing English. Maxine refers him to a friend, Miss Annie. Soon enough, Vernon meets Ronald, Maxine's son with special needs and they start to form a friendship over time. Vernon becomes Ronald's closest friend, taking him shopping and for walks. An unexpected twist of events occur as Maxine realizes she can't take care of Ronald the way that she should. What will happen to Ronald?

Reading Level: Grade 5/6 Lexile 570L

Suggested Delivery: Independent or small group read

Teachers, here are some resources that may help teach Crazy Lady...

Key Vocabulary: This is a great book with readable vocabulary, but a few words may still need to be addressed prior to reading, including: addled, keeled, caricatures, duplex, gawky, welfare, practical, remnant, clod, agitate, affluent, celebrant, hunker, mumbo, defiant, scrawl, remnant, titter, sowed

Electronic Resources:

• HarperCollins: Here on the publishers website you can view all information about the book, including all the awards it has won and where you can buy the book. This can be used for before reading if you need to buy the book or if you want more information about the book.
• CrazyLady: On this website you can read either part of the book, or the whole thing! Great for schools with limited book resources and great for students who enjoy using the computer to read!! This website is especially helpful for teachers while students are reading the book.
• RandomHouse: This website is perfect for ELL's or students struggling reading! On this website you are able to download the audiobook of Crazy Lady. Therefore all students can keep up and follow along with added assistance!
• TeachersGuide: On this website you can find resources to teach this book including discussion questions, reading strategies, cross-ciricular activities, interviews and more post reading activities.

Activities for Students:

• Before Reading: Show students the cover of the book and ask them to predict what the book will be about. What do you think the shadow with the red and white checkered shoes is going to do? What do you think the flowers on the front mean? What about the stairs? Get them to look at every aspect of the cover.
• During Reading: After a couple chapters of each section have students answer questions. What do you think about Maxine and Ronald? Do you think Maxine is really crazy? How did you feel when the group of boys were tormenting Maxine? Why is it wrong to do that? etc.
• After Reading: What do you think the message of this book is? Why did I have you read this book? What is it trying to teach us? Write a paragraph in your journal with specific details from the text to support your answer.

Crazy Lady by Jane Conly (HarperCollins, 1993) is a gem of a story about outsiders, loss, friendship and growth." -Library Journal

Conly, J. L. (1993). Crazy lady! . New York: Harper/Collins.