Chapter 4
1. What grade is Mia in?
A) Fifth
B) Eighth
C) Sixth
D) Tenth
B
Who is the therapist Mia visits in this chapter?
Dr. Finn
What makes the narrator suddenly popular at lunch?
A) She won a math competition.
B) She tells people what color their names are.
C) She performed a song in class.
D) She drew pictures of everyone.
B) She tells people what color their names are.
What is Debbie’s role in Jerry’s lab?
a) Nurse
b) Graduate student assistant
c) Lab technician
d) Professor
b) Graduate student assistant
"If you yawn and don’t cover your mouth, your soul can jump out."
Who says it?
Zack
2. What book is Mia reading for school?
A) Charlotte’s Web
B) To Kill a Mockingbird
C) Lord of the Flies
D) The Outsiders
C) Lord of the Flies
Who calls Mia’s family early in the morning after visiting a psychologist?
the Neurologist from Chicago
The doctor, Jerry Weiss, tells Mia that synesthesia is a dangerous disease that needs treatment. T/F
False
According to Jerry, how do colors appear to different synesthetes?
a) All synesthetes see the same colors for the same sounds
b) Colors are unique to each person
c) Colors never appear at all
d) Only vowels appear colored
b) Colors are unique to each person
“We’ll get her to the best neurologist. We’ll figure this out.”
Who says it?
Mia's father
6. Why does Beth go to the doctor?
A) A broken arm
B) A cold
C) Poison ivy
D) To get a vaccination
C) Poison ivy
The neurologist says Mia might have epilepsy. T/F
False
Mia’s father and brother joke together about pigs flying. T/F
True
Mia sends out her synesthesia profile without asking her mother for permission. T/F
False; she asks first
“Maybe you don’t know what a best friend is.”
Who says it?
Jenna, expressing her hurt and anger when Mia finally tells her the truth.
Mia’s mother believes the colored letter blocks caused her daughter’s problem. T/F
True
Why does Dr. Finn think Mia might be “acting out”?
Because Dr. Finn thinks Mia is trying to get attention from her parents as the middle child.
According to Dr. Weiss, what causes Mia’s synesthesia?
Her brain’s sensory “wires” are crossed — specifically, her visual cortex is activated when her auditory cortex is stimulated, causing her to see colors when she hears sounds or reads letters and numbers.
What are some ways Mia’s synesthesia can change according to Jerry?
It can be dampened by traumatic events, may increase after early childhood, can weaken with old age, and stimulants or depressants can affect it.
Who says this: “You don’t have to worry, Mia. I truly doubt anything could make your synesthesia disappear forever.”
Jerry - DR. Weiss
What is the main reason Mia finally decides to tell Jenna about her colors?
Because she wants at least one person to know and understand her truth.
What does Mia joke about after hearing she’ll see a neurologist?
She jokes that the neurologist might have taken out her memory.
Who says, “They might stick you in a class for special kids” — and what effect does this comment have on Mia?
A girl with long blond hair says it; it makes Mia feel embarrassed and sad, causing her to hide in the bathroom.
How does Mia describe the experience of other synesthetes sharing the same type of color-letter associations?
Colors vary widely between individuals, although geometric shapes are more similar; many associate light colors with vowels.
“Already I feel a sense of belonging with these people.”
Who says this?
Mia - she finds a community of others who understand her synesthesia, which makes her feel accepted and less alone.