Characters
Who are the two main narrators of the novel?
Who are Rashad Butler and Quinn Collins?
What happens to Rashad at the beginning of the story?
He is beaten by a police officer.
What is one major theme of the novel?
Racism
What is Rashad’s main conflict after the beating?
He must deal with the physical and emotional effects of the incident and the injustice surrounding it.
Why might the authors use two different narrators?
To present different viewpoints and help readers consider the complexity of the situation.
Who is the police officer involved in Rashad’s beating?
Who is Paul Galluzzo?
Why is Rashad at the store when the incident occurs?
He has stopped at a convenience store to get something to eat.
What theme is explored when Quinn must decide whether to speak up?
Courage and standing up for what is right.
What makes Quinn’s situation difficult?
The officer is connected to someone he cares about, but Quinn has witnessed the violence.
Why is witnessing an event different from hearing about it afterward?
A witness has firsthand knowledge, although people can still interpret what they see differently.
Who is Quinn’s close friend who is also connected to the officer?
Who is Guzzo, Paul’s younger brother?
What does Quinn witness that changes his understanding of the officer?
He sees Paul beating Rashad.
What does the novel suggest about judging people based on appearances?
Appearances and stereotypes can lead to unfair assumptions.
What is an example of an internal conflict in the novel?
Quinn struggles with whether to speak honestly about what he saw.
How can stereotypes affect the way people interpret Rashad’s actions?
They can cause people to assume guilt or danger without fairly considering the facts.
Who is the student who becomes a key voice in the school’s response to Rashad’s beating?
Who is Quinn Collins?
What larger issue does Rashad’s beating bring into focus?
Police brutality and racial injustice.
How does the novel explore the idea of silence?
Silence can allow injustice to continue, while speaking up can challenge it.
What is an example of an external conflict?
Rashad’s conflict with the police officer and the wider community’s response to the beating.
What does the novel ask readers to consider about bystanders?
Whether people have a responsibility to act or speak out when they witness injustice.
Which character struggles with loyalty to his friends and doing what he believes is right?
Who is Quinn Collins?
How do Rashad’s and Quinn’s perspectives help readers understand the incident?
Readers see both the victim’s experience and the conflict of a witness connected to the officer.
How does telling the story through two narrators strengthen the novel’s message?
It shows different experiences of the same event and how race and personal relationships shape people’s responses.
What competing pressures influence Quinn’s decisions?
His loyalty to friends and family connections versus his sense of justice and responsibility
What question does the novel raise about doing the right thing when it may cost you a friendship?
Whether loyalty to a friend should outweigh honesty, accountability, and justice.