What is Bud's full name, and what does he prefer to be called?
Buddy Caldwell; he prefers to be called "Bud"
What two possible reasons does Bud give for why the caseworker might be delivering bad news?
Either they've found a foster home for somebody, or somebody is about to get paddled
What was Todd doing that made Bud punch him
Todd was beating and punching Bud and stuck the pencil up his nose so far it went to the "r" of Ticondroga.
How are Jerry and Bud's new living situations different from each other?
Jerry will be living with a family with three little girls; Bud will be living with Mr. and Mrs. Amos and their 12-year-old son
How old is Teacher Shawn
17
What three words does the caseworker expect the boys to say to show they understand their situation?
"Cheerful, helpful and grateful"
How many times has Bud been placed in a foster home before this one?
This is his third foster home
What reaction does Bud experience when told he has to leave, even though he doesn't cry anymore?
His nose gets runny, his throat gets choky, and his eyes get stingy, but he doesn't actually cry
Give the adults something they think they can hurt you by taking away
What is teacher Shawn's least favorite vegetable
Corn
What is the scary physical change that Bud describes happening around age six?
Teeth start coming loose and eventually fall out, which is scary because children lose control of their tongue and it keeps exploring the new hole
Why are Jerry and Bud being taken out of line?
They have both been accepted into new temporary-care homes starting that afternoon
What is special about the blue flyer that Bud keeps in his suitcase?
It is a flyer advertising Herman E. Calloway and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression performing in Flint, Michigan in 1932
Who is Herman E. Calloway, and why does Bud have a "good suspicion" about him?
Bud suspects Herman E. Calloway is his father; Bud has never met him but has a strong feeling about this
Is Teacher Shawn a middle child?
Yes
When and where was the performance advertised on the blue flyer supposed to take place?
Saturday, June 16, 1932, at the Luxurious Fifty Grand in Flint, Michigan
Why does Bud keep his belongings in a suitcase rather than a paper or cloth sack like the other kids?
To protect his belongings from other kids in the Home who might take his things
How does Bud describe Ms. Amos saying his name
Coldclocked
Mrs. Amos describes Todd's mouth as looking like this specific, delicate object before he lies and says Bud wet the bed.
A prayer book
What is Teacher Shawn's favorite sport
Volleyball
What does Bud do every night before going to sleep, and why is this routine important to him?
Bud checks to make sure all of his belongings are still in his suitcase; this is important because more and more kids are coming into the Home each day, and he wants to protect his things from being stolen by other residents
How many flyers about similar performances does Bud have, and what makes the blue one different from the others?
Bud has five flyers total (the blue one and four others); the blue one is different because it mentions Flint, Michigan
How does Bud's description of the man in the flyer picture connect to his suspicion about who this man might be?
Bud describes the man as quiet, friendly, and smart based on his face; this suggests that Bud is looking for positive qualities in his suspected father and is trying to understand what kind of person he might be
Because Todd lies to his mother, Mr. Amos punishes Bud by locking him in this outside structure.
A tool shed.
What is Teacher Shawn's EXACT birthdate
January 13th, 2009