Lesson 25 — Activity 1: Chapters 19 – 20

Before starting this activity, please read chapters 19 and 20 of the novel. Remember to think about the strategies you can use as you read.

Chapter 19 of the novel shows how Chris's family and the public react to Chris's dramatic protest on his sailboard.

When the chapter opens, you learn that Chris has survived. He describes the close call with the garbage barge and how Nick Wheatley was able to get a picture of him in front of the barge. Even though the picture does not run in the local paper, the article does appear in newspapers across Canada.

After his picture appears in the newspaper, phone calls start to pour in. Some of the callers are angry, but many calls are from people who want to congratulate him for taking a stand against the barge. Chris's father is not happy, and he urges Chris to stop his protest before he gets hurt.

The chapter ends with Marina calling to let Chris know that she saw his picture in the paper. She tells him that she has missed him and would like him to come and see her.

In chapter 20 of the novel, Chris goes to Culverton to see Marina. Marina hands Chris several legal documents regarding the toxic waste company.

When the chapter opens, Chris is taking the bus to Culverton, an industrial town. Chris is shocked by the ugliness of the town compared to Rocky Harbour. Marina and her mother pick up Chris at the bus, and then they drive to Marina's aunt's house.

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Marina takes Chris for a walk in the evening to see the Dial Chemical plant where her father worked until he got sick. Marina points out that the company is owned by another company called Consolidated Holdings.

The chapter ends with Marina showing Chris some papers showing that her father was a shareholder in Consolidated Holdings. She goes on to explain that he left the shares to Marina.