Okay for Now – Characters
Enter Okay for Now – Themes & Symbol
My Brother Sam Is Dead –
My Brother Sam Is Dead – Events
Cross-Novel Comparisons
100
  1. This main character moves to Marysville and struggles with school and family.
    Answer: Who is Doug Swieteck?

Who is Doug Swieteck?

100

These objects in the novel symbolize hope, growth, and learning

  1. What are the Audubon bird illustrations?
100

This young boy is the main character who struggles with loyalty during the Revolutionary War.

Who Is Tim Meeker?

100

Sam’s decision to join the army creates this central conflict in the novel.

  1. What is family conflict or moral dilemma?
100

Both Doug and Tim experience this as they grow up amid hardship.

What is personal growth?

200

He is Doug’s brother, who returns home injured from Vietnam

Who is Lucas?

200

The act of doing this gives Doug confidence and helps him connect with others.

What is drawing?

200

Sam, the brother of Tim, fights for this side during the Revolutionary War.


Who are the Patriots?

200

Tim witnesses this event which shows the harsh realities of war.


  1. What is Sam’s death?
200

Both main characters learn lessons about this important value in life.


What is family or loyalty?

300

Doug’s mentor in art who encourages him to pursue drawing

Who is Mr Powell?

300

The novel teaches that people can change and improve through this.

  1. What is perseverance?
300

The Meeker family struggles with this because of the war.

What is poverty or financial hardship?

300

The novel explores the theme of this as people choose sides in war.


What is loyalty?

300

The setting in both novels influences the characters’ experiences, teaching this about history.


What is the impact of historical context?



400

Doug’s friend who helps him feel accepted at school and provides emotional support.


Who is Lil Spicer?

400

Doug learns this important lesson about how to treat others.


  1. : What is kindness?
400

Tim’s father fights for this side, often causing conflict in the family.


Who are the Loyalists or the British?

400

This is a major consequence of the Revolutionary War on families like the Meekers.


 What is suffering or loss?

400

What category of literature is this coming-of-age story? 

What is Bildungsroman?

500

The adult who helps Doug gain confidence in reading and learning.

Who is 

500

This represents the positive changes in Doug’s life and healing from hardship.

  1. What is family and friendship support?



500

This character represents loyalty to family but also the challenges of war.


Who is Sam Meeker?

500

Who is a dynamic character in Okay for Now? 

Who is Doug?

500

What point of view is Okay for Now written in

What is first person?

M
e
n
u