Name: ______________________________
Point of View Worksheet 9

Directions: Read the following passages and determine the narrative perspective, then explain how you were able to identify the point of view. 

Narrative Perspective (point of view): first-person, second-person, third-person

1. Harold and the Lizard People by Lawrence Sellers 

Harold knotched the arrow in his bow and drew, holding the bowstring taut with his middle finger. The arrow was pointed at Scarlock. "I didn't mean to take it, Harold. I promise. I must have grabbed it on accident," Scarlock whispered, his tongue slithering in and out of his mouth, his snake face shrouded in his hood. Harold chuckled and replied, "Well, Scarlock, if you didn't mean to do that, then I didn't mean to do this…" 

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer

2. Grandpa of the Year by Early Howard

The sun may have been 92 million miles away from us, but it felt like I was carrying it on my shoulders as we slugged up the hill. I wondered to myself whether or not I would make it. Of course, I would never tell her that. She turned to me and said, "Grandpa, if you want to stop and take a break, that's fine. I understand." She looked at me with sympathy and concern. This worried me. "I'll be all right, darling. It's just a little bit further," and then my legs gave out. 

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer

3. You're Not Welcome by Demi Lumpkin

"She's not going to make! She's going to fall!" I heard them yell as I climbed up the rope, one handful at a time. They were hoping that I would fall, every last one of them. They had tormented me since I came to this school, but now it was my turn. Now I would show them what I was made of. I held the rope tightly between my calf and my ankle and I hoisted myself up another inch. The flag was almost within reach. The gymnasium was eerily quiet as I pulled myself up to the flag.

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer

4. 1001 Summer Activities by Alan Maxton 
Do you need extra money? Do you have a bunch of old toys just collecting dust? Why don't you have a garage sale? First, check with your parents to see if it's ok. Once you get permission, gather up all of the items that you want to sell. Move them outside and put them on a folding table. Do not put them on the ground if you can help it. People don't want to kneel down to look at your stuff. Now put price tags on your items. Lastly, you have to find some customers. Traffic is the key to a successful garage sale. Put big signs in visible places and wait. Now you're doing it big time.

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer

5. A Tale of Two Princesses by Lanoline Hanes 
Carissa fixed the tassels on her costume and examined herself in the mirror. She felt that she looked just like a princess, and then she began to fantasize about being an actual princess. In this fantasy she had many servants, some of whom were peeling the skins off of grapes and feeding her the skinned grapes while she laid on a hammock in the shade. Slam! She heard a door shut down the hallway. "Carissa, we need you on set. Now!" Her dream world melted away and she ran out of the trailer, going over her lines as she strutted. 

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer

6. The Phone Game Wizard by Clarence Motley 
Beep-bo-bo-beep! Tommy phone beeped as he collected the glowing banana. Do-do-do-dee! Tommy's phone hummed as he jumped over and alligator. Wah-wah-wah! Tommy's phone groaned as he fell into a pit. He threw the gamepad down with a huff. "It's no fair. I want to play a new game," Tommy said to himself with his arms crossed. "Mom!" He yelled down the stairs. "What, Tommy!?!" Mom's voice yelled back up the stairs. "I want a new game, Mom!" Tommy shouted again. "Not going to happen, Tommy!" Mom returned. The two were deadlocked. Tommy knew that she had the upper hand. He put his mind to work on the problem. 

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer

7. Spaceman Luke by Arty Freeborn 
This planet has a funny feel to it. Something about the gravity, like there's too much of it. It's not like my planet. On my planet the gravity is more pleasant. Let me put it this way: the gravity on my planet is like a cool bed sheet in the summertime and the gravity on Earth is like a heavy comforter, also in the summertime. Lots of people on Earth walk around with sore backs and joint problems. Much of this is caused by the strong gravitational pull on this planet. I, for one, have had enough of this. 

Narrator's Point of View: ___________________________________________________________

Explain your Answer