Fran Manushkin - Super Paramedic!

Katie and her grandma were having lunch.

I love your new bracelet, said Katie.

Me too! said Grandma. Hearts are the best.

After lunch, Grandma was ready to go home.

Katie said, Ill walk you to your car.

Whoosh! Haley OHara came skating by with her brothers and sisters.

Hi! yelled Katie.

Hi! yelled Haley.

Grandma told Katie, My car is at the end of the block.

They had almost reached the car, when

Grandma tripped on a broken sidewalk!

She fell downhard!

I hurt my foot, said Grandma. I cant move it.

Katie wanted to cry, but she stayed calm.

Ill go get Mom, she said.

Katies mom called 911.

She told Grandma, The will be here soon. They will help you.

I hope so, said Katie.

Haley OHara said, Put my sweater on your grandma. She should keep warm until the comes.

How do you know that? asked Katie.

My family is always breaking something, said Haley. I have lots of practice.

Soon they heard the loud . The paramedics were there!

Katie was so happy to see them.

One paramedic listened to Grandmas heart.

The other one Grandmas foot.

Your heart is fine, said one of the paramedics. But I think your is broken. We need to take you to the hospital.

The paramedics lifted Grandma into the ambulance. They were gentle and strong.

Katie and her mom drove to the hospital.

At the hospital, a doctor put a on Grandmas foot. She told her, After six weeks you will be fine.

Grandma smiled. Thank you! I want to thank the paramedics too.

But they had rushed to another .

Katie said, Grandma, Im glad you will get better. But I am sad that you lost your new bracelet. Its gone!

But it wasnt! When Katie got home, Haley was waiting.

Here is your grandmas bracelet. I found it in the grass.

Katie hugged Haley. Youre the best!

Then she called Grandma. Haley found your bracelet!

Terrific! said Grandma.

There is one more thing I want to do, said Katie.

She got out her paper and paints.

Katie began to write and draw.

Hearts are the best, Katie said. She drew a lot of them.

(AK-si-duhunt) an unfortunate and unplanned event (AM-byuh-luhnss) a vehicle that takes sick or injured people to the hospital (ANG-kuhl) the joint that connects your foot to your leg (KAST) a hard plaster covering that supports a broken arm or leg (eg-ZAM-uhnd) looked over carefully (pa-ruh-MED-ik) a specially trained person who provides a range of emergency medical care before or during transport to a hospital (SYE-ruhn) a device that makes a loud, shrill sound

1. What traits make a good paramedic? Would you like to be a paramedic? Why or why not?
2. Compare paramedics to doctors. How are they the same? How are they different?
3. Katies grandma had a medical emergency. There are important steps to take when someone has this sort of emergency. Thinking about the story, can you list the steps?
4. The title of this book is Super Paramedic! How is a paramedic like a superhero?
5. Katie writes a thank-you note to the two paramedics who helped her grandma. Write a thank-you note to someone who has helped you.

• Katie: Hello, Ms. Thomas. Thanks so much for meeting with me so I can learn about being a paramedic! Whats the best thing about your job?
  Ms. Thomas: There are lots of great things about being a paramedic. The ambulance is really cool, and every day is different because the patients are always different. But the best thing about my job is that I get to help people every day.