Family Characters
School Characters
Symbols
Events
100
What event triggered Jeffrey's nose bleed and resulting diagnosis?
What was the moatmeal breakfast Steven made for Jeffrey.
100
Who was Steven's math tutor and what happened when s/he came over to tutor him?
Steven had to send her away because she had a cold and could get Jeffrey sick.
100
What was Steven's nickname in the All City Jazz Band, who gave him that name & why did they choose that nickname?
1. Peasant 2. Brian 3. He was an 8th grader in a high school band. All the nicknames were coined after the medieval times and peasants was the lowest class.
100
Why did Steven shave his head?
He shaved his head because Jeffrey's new classmate had made fun of him for his bald head. Miraculously up to that point Jeffrey had not been self-conscious about it. In order to support his brother he decided to shave his head that evening.
200
How did Steven's dad react to the news on Jeffrey's leukemia diagnosis?
He became a zombie, shut down and didn't support Steven.
200
At what is Annette extremely talented?
What is piano.
200

Discuss the significance of Frozen Dinners in the novel.

Various answers will be accepted based on explanation. The significance was that it symbolized the isolation of Steven from his father during a time when he needed his support and reassurance the most. It was almost as if his dad's heart had become frozen.

200
When did Steven meet Samantha and what life lesson did he learn from her?
He met her in the hospital in Philadelphia when his mother was sick and could not go with Jeffrey. They met later in the evening when he was playing his drums to escape the horror of the hospital. She taught him to never leave Jeffrey's side no matter what.
300
What become Jeffrey's source of bravery when going to the hospital?
What is Matt Medic.
300
Which character bribes Steven to speak to her with candy hearts?
Who is Mrs. Galley.
300
What happened the night that Renee came over to tutor Steven and why was this so important?
Steven did not allow Renee to come into the house and tutor him because she had a cold that could cause Jeffrey to become very sick if he caught it. This was important because Steven would not get caught up in math and resulted in him failing the final. Also, he had been in love with Renee since 3rd grade and wanted to spend time with her.
300

What did Steven mean when he said, "You can't play in the concert, and I could, but I have to run out!" 

It was when Jeffrey suddently became ill at the All City Jazz Band Concert decided Steven decided to be with Jeffrey rather than stay and play his solo. He was talking with Annette and she couldn't play because her arm was broken.

400
Why was Steven embarrassed when his mom came to the school dance?
She came in her sweatpants and made an announcement over the microphone for Steven to come to the front of the auditorium.
400
Which teacher does Steven look up to and why?
Who is Mr. Watras because he is a talented music teacher and is a relatively cool teacher.
400
What is dangerous pie and what is it's significance in the novel?
Jeffrey's cooking recipe which includes various ingredients such as eggs, coffee and match box cars. He used Steven's special sticks that were signed by Carter Beauford to mix the ingredients. The significance of dangerous pie is to symbolize Steven's relationship with Jeffrey and how he would do anything for him.
400
How did the Community Service Hours complicate the story? What was the solution and who came up with it?
The community service hours complicated the story because now all the seniors of the band could not dedicate their after school time to rehearsal and might have to drop out. Therefore, Annette and Renee decided to create a benefit concert in order for the students to use the rehearsal time towards their community service hours. Also it would help out the Alper's dire financial situation.
500
Discuss at which points of the novel Steven goes through the Five Stages of Grief. Hint- The Stages of Grief are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression & Acceptance
Denial- The week that Jeffrey is in Philadelphia with his mom, Steven thinks they are on a vacation & are having a fun time. Anger- In Steven's journal entry to his dad, mom & Jeffrey, he is angry at them for what is happening to his family. Bargaining- Steven tries to do/wish for things in exchange for Jeffrey's health. Depression- Steven becomes numb, follows his daily routine of school & drums without any particular enthusiasm. Acceptance- After meeting with Mrs. Galley about his "dream" Steven's motto becomes, "Focus on the things I can change."
500
What decision did Steven make with this person without telling his parents in order to help the family?
Steven decided to accept free drum lessons from Mr. Stoll.
500
What is the significance of the phrase, "Why don't you try working on the things you can change?"
It was the point that Steven began to accept Jeffrey's illness and take on the situation from a positive perspective.
500
Give a character trait of Steven's in the beginning of the novel and how he changed that trait over the course of the novel.
Multiple answers.
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