Characters
Who is the main character and narrator?
Lonnie
What tragic event changes Lonnie’s life forever?
Parents die in a fire
What form is the novel written in?
Poems (free verse)
What is one major theme of the story?
Loss
What does “locomotion” usually mean?
Movement
Who is Lonnie’s younger sister?
Lilli
What kind of class helps Lonnie express himself?
Poetry / writing class
Why does Lonnie like writing poems?
It helps him express feelings
What theme is shown through Lonnie and Lili’s relationship?
Family / Love
What does “foster” mean in the story?
A temporary home for a child
Who is Lonnie’s foster mother?
Miss Edina
Why are Lonnie and Lili separated?
They are placed in different foster homes
What makes the writing style unique?
Short lines, simple language, emotional depth
What theme is shown through Lonnie’s writing?
Self-expression
What does “grief” mean?
Deep sadness after loss
Who encourages Lonnie to write poetry?
Ms. Marcus
What is something Lonnie struggles with emotionally?
Grief, anger, and missing his sister
How does poetry help Lonnie change?
He understands and processes his emotions
What theme relates to Lonnie’s foster care experience?
Belonging / Identity
What does “expression” mean?
Sharing thoughts or feelings
Where does Lili live?
With a different foster family
What is a major moment of growth for Lonnie?
When he begins to open up through poetry
Why might the author choose poetry instead of paragraphs?
To reflect emotion and personal voice
What theme is shown by Lonnie’s emotional growth?
Healing
What does “resilience” mean?
The ability to recover from hardship