Characters
Who is the Protagonist?
Michael is the protagonist.
Where does the story take place?
Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.
Francis and Michael are judged unfairly because they are young Black men from a poor neighborhood.
Racism and Stereotypes
What is/are the conflict(s) of the story?
Person vs Society AND Person vs Self
What strong relationship is highlighted throughout the novel?
The strong sibling bond between Michael and Francis.
Who is Francis to Michael?
Francis is Michael’s older brother.
What is the main Plot of the story?
The story follows Michael and Francis as they face racism, poverty, grief, and growing up in Scarborough.
The family faces financial problems that affect their opportunities and daily lives.
Poverty
Why does Francis struggles with his identity?
Francis struggles with his identity because his dreams of a better life are affected by racism, violence, and limited opportunities.
Name TWO major real-world issues explored in the novel.
Possible answers: racism, poverty, grief, violence, stereotypes, trauma.
Who is Ruth?
Ruth is Michael and Francis’s mother.
Which character dies at the end of the story?
Francis dies at the end of the story.
Michael and his mother struggle emotionally after the loss of Francis
Grief & Loss
What is an example of Person vs Society?
Desirea’s barber shop is repeatedly raided by police without evidence, showing unfair treatment of the community.
How do stereotypes and racism affect Francis and Michael throughout the novel?
They affect their confidence, opportunities, relationships, choices, and how society treats them.
Who is Jelly and what are his characteristics?
Jelly is Francis’s friend and a DJ.
What happens when Francis leaves his home?
The family is left grieving and changed.
Michael and his mother continue moving forward despite their hardships and loss
Resilience and strength
What is an exmaple of Person vs Self
After Francis’s death, Michael feels guilt and grief as he reflects on his memories and tries to cope.
Why does the Novel matter?
It shows real-life issues like racism, poverty, grief, and the importance of family and resilience.
Explain Francis's characteristics:
Francis is a protective, confident, and street-smart older brother who also carries stress and pressure.
Why did the character that dies gets shot and by who?
Francis was shot by a police officer who mistakenly thought he was involved in something suspicious.
Name ALL of the themes mentioned.
Gun violence, racism and stereotypes, family, poverty, grief and loss, resilience and strength.
Why is Micheal struggling to understand himself?
Michael struggles to understand himself because he is dealing with grief after Francis’s death, along with pressure, racism, and confusion about his place in the world.
Explain what the best quote was about and why it was important
It shows the mother’s strength after losing Francis and how she slowly becomes more independent. It is important because it highlights grief, resilience, and how families can heal and keep going after loss.