Ravi
What accidentally ends up in Ravi's backpack?
The picture Dillon drew of Joe and his mother.
Why does Coach Victorine yell at Ravi?
Coach Victorine yells at Ravi because he tries to play baseball with his glasses on.
Why is Joe's father coming home earlier than expected?
Joe's father is coming home to address the bullying that Joe is experiencing.
Define superstition.
A belief that something can cause good or bad luck, even though there is no scientific reason to believe it's true.
What does Amma send with Ravi to give to Mrs. Beam?
Naan Khatais or Indian cookies.
Where does Ravi go after getting bullied by Dillon?
Ravi runs to the boy's bathroom.
Why makes Ravi look like he's going to faint in P.E.?
Ravi looks like he is going to faint when Jaslene selects him to be on her team. He is not used to playing sports with girls.
How does Joe feel after seeing Ravi get bullied?
Joe feels sorry for Ravi. He has empathy for Ravi because he knows what it feels like to be bullied by Dillon.
Ravi and his family believe that Amma has the black tongue. What does that mean?
Amma has a black birthmark on her tongue. They believe this means that whatever she says usually comes true.
How are Ravi and Dillon similar?
In India, Ravi was similar to Dillon because he was popular and was not very nice to others who were different than him.
True or False
Ravi stays in the nurse's office to eat his lunch.
False. Ravi eats with Dillon and his friends.
Why does Ravi hold the bat down low?
Ravi holds the bat down low because that is how he holds the bat when playing cricket.
Why does Joe refer to Ravi as a "zebra"?
Joe refers to Ravi as a zebra because he is viewed as prey by Dillon. Earlier in the book he referred to Dillon as a crocodile showing that Dillon is the hunter and he and Ravi are being hunted.
Joe also refers to Ravi as a zebra because he stands out. For example, he is the only student at AEE who irons his clothes or brings his lunch in a tiffin box.
Which point of view is this book written in?
This book is written in first person point of view. We know because the narrators are part of the story. Also, pronouns such as I, we, and me are used throughout the book.
What was Mr. Barnes's advice to Joe?
Mr. Barnes said, "The world is full of Dillon Samreens. You have to find a way to keep them from getting to you."
When does Ravi finally realize that Dillon does not want to be his friend?
Ravi finally realizes that Dillon does not want to be his friend when he eats lunch with Dillon on Wednesday.
How does Ravi get injured in P.E.?
Ravi gets injured when Dillon purposely pitches a baseball at him.
Just when Joe thinks that he has found a way to not let Dillon get to him, what happens?
Mrs. Sylvester blows her whistle. Dillon uses this as an opportunity to tease Joe once again.
Joe continues to keep a secret for this person even though she laughs at him when he gets bullied.
Lucy Mulligan
Dillon walks Ravi to the nurse's office. Based on what he says, what is he most concerned with?
Dillon wants to make sure that Ravi tells that nurse that the baseball incident was an accident.
What does Ravi mean when he says he is getting a taste of his own medicine? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Ravi means that he is now getting bullied, when in the past, he was the bully. In India, he teased and ridiculed Ramaswami by calling him names. He also mentioned pushing a kid into a corner until he cried. Now, Dillon is doing the same to him.
How is P.E. different in India vs. in America?
1. In India, students must wear white shoes. In America, that is not required.
2. In India, boys and girls do not play sports together. In America, they do.
3. In India, Ravi was allowed to use his glasses, in America he cannot.
Joe finally finds a way to not let Dillon get to him. How does he do this?
Joe remembers Mr. Barnes advice. He then imagines Dillon as chipmunk. To add to the hilarity of the situation, Dillon has round cheeks as he eats Joe's cornbread and is wearing peanut patterned boxers.
What are some things that Dillon does to Ravi at lunch?
1. Dillon encourages Ravi to eat chili even though he knows he's vegetarian.
2. Dillon calls him curryhead and says he smells.
3. Dillon mocks his accent.
How do the other 5th graders respond when Ravi is getting bullied by Dillon? Name a better way to deal with this situation.
The 5th graders laugh alongside Dillon and encourage the bullying.
Answers may vary.