Find the moment of the eclipse and carefully read Ally’s reaction to the event. What happens to her during the totality? What changes take place inside her?

Teaching Suggestion: Students should be able to locate the moment of the solar eclipse—it bridges her two final chapters—and analyze Ally’s reaction. The totality is a heavily important moment in the book, as it is both the climax of the action and the instant in which the real world presents itself as a strange, frightening, but glorious place. All the characters are changed in this instant, and Ally expresses that she “could die of the beauty of it” (Page 276) and that she feels “warmth and gratitude” (Page 304) that she was able to spend it with her friends. 

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who struggle with reading comprehension, you may consider giving them the text below and guiding them through a close read. You might point out the short sentences and use of exclamation points as indications that Ally is excited, and underline the action verbs that show great emotion. They could highlight important phrases like “everything is reversed” or “I can’t believe it!!!” You may want to ask them what is special about the constellations Ally can see and what seeing them where they are means to her.