1. Info of the Author
Patricia is an African American writer born in Smyrna, Tennesse.Her husband, Fredrick was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Both are living in St.Louis. Both have written over a hundred books about African Americans. They won countless awards and bringing entertaining and informing young readers.

2. By: Adam Sigmon, Matthew Miller, Franco Garcia, and Andrew Willis
Stories of the Past
By: Adam Sigmon, Matthew Miller, Franco Garcia, and Andrew Willis

3. The Baker Heater League
Author: Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack

4. Setting & Picture
The setting of the story takes place in the St. Louis Station in the 1900’s

5. P.O.V & Fiction or Nonfiction?
The P.O.V, or the Point of View is in the 3rd person, in which a person outside the story is telling it.
The story has a section stating that it is nonfiction.

6. Plot
The plot of the story was that porters at that time told stories about old railroad heroes of the Baker Heater League.

7. Vocabulary mishaps: Unfortunate or unlucky accidents
Burden: Weighed down by work, duty, or sorrow

8. Characters & Character Trait’s
Casey Jones – An engineer, brave, a railroad hero.
John Henry – Free slave, bulky, tall
Daddy Joe – Real person, pullman, large hands, and tall

9. Theme
You can accomplish great things if you believe in yourself.

10. Questions Q: Did you enjoy this story?
Q: Why do you think the authors wrote this story?
Q: Did you find this story entertaining?

11. The 11:59
Author: Patricia C. McKissack

12. Author
Patricia McKissack was born in Smyrna, Tennessee. She now lives with her husband, Fredrick in St. Louis, Missouri. Patricia and Fredrick wrote books about African American experiences. Before she was a writer, she was a school teacher. After 9 years of teaching and six years of editing children books, she felt like starting a full time writing career. Today she wrote hundreds of books and won countless rewards.

13. Setting & Picture
Started at the St. Louis Station in the 1900’s. and in the porters in the Lester’s room.

14. Point of view & fiction or not
The point of view is 3rd person.
The story is fiction and realistic fiction, because some of the settings is real.

15. Plot-conflict & resolution
The plot is a retired man who tells old stories about railroad heros.
The conflict is Lester doesn’t want to die.
The resolution is he knows he can not escape fate

16. Vocabulary Finery- fancy clothing and accessories.
Worrisome- causing worry or anxiety.
Lurking- ready to spring out, attack; existing undiscovered.

17. Characters
Lester Simmons- retired porter. Tells stories about railroad heros.
Young Porters- young, they like hearing Lester’s stories.

18. Theme
You can’t cheat your way out of death.

19. Questions Why did you think the author wrote this story?
Why do you think the author wrote the stories related to trains?
Did you expect the story to end this way?