Characters
She is gruff and mean at first.
Who is Ma?
It’s about half the size of a shoebox, and lots of colorful stamps surround my grandmother’s address.
What is the small box on the table?
Because Mama needs to go to court.
Why does Jaxon need to stay with Ma?
That the box is 'half the size of a shoe box' suggests this.
What is, that whatever is inside is small?
Ma makes Jax a sandwich.
What does Ma do when Jax says he isn't hungry?
A peanut butter sandwich.
What food does Ma make for Jax?
In case he has to make a quick exit.
Why does Jax only flip one of the locks?
Scratching at the window.
How does Jax first notice the squirrel?
It suggests something magical or alive inside
What does the box "jumping" show?
Jax is this age.
What is 9 years old
The living room has two big windows with heavy curtains that shut out the spring sunshine.
What is Ma's apartment?
It jumps.
What strange thing happens to the box?
It nods.
How does the squirrel show it understands Jax?
Ma's comment:
“Don’t you tell me how to handle my business! I may be old, but I ain’t daft. Now, get—GET!”
Suggests this.
What is that Ma can understand the squirrel and communicate with it?
Ma suggests drinking this to wash down the peanut butter sandwich.
What is (root) beer?
Madagascar.
Where does Ma say the box came from?
The box rumbles and the sandwich launches
What happens when the squirrel puts the sandwich on the box?
It dances
What other unusual thing does the squirrel do?
It shows that magic exists
What does the way the squirrel acts and the box jumping show?
Jax's Mama.
Who is Alicia?
Brooklyn
New York City
Marshmallows
What does the squirrel try to get for the dragons in the box?
Feed what's in the box.
What does the squirrel seem to want Jax to do?
Why might the author include the eviction problem at the beginning?
To make the story real and show struggles of the characters