Author & Genre
Is the novel The Mighty Miss Malone fiction or nonfiction?
fiction
Who is the main character of the story?
Deza Malone
Where does the story take place? (HINT: Name the city and the state.)
Flint, Michigan
Why does Deza slap Mr. Smith’s essay? (HINT: Does Deza believe slapping the paper will actually change her grade?)
"One sign that I had toughened up was that instead of crying I thought of a little joke that Jimmie said he did whenever he didn’t like his grade.
'I turn the paper over, then, the same way people bang on a machine if it ain’t acting right, I smack my hand on the paper. Maybe if I bang it hard enough my grade will jump up a mark!'
It was nonsense, but I slapped my hand on Mr. Smith’s essay."
Deza is pretending it will make everything okay and keeping herself calm.
What does the following passage reveal about Deza's mother? (HINT: What is important to Deza's mother?)
“You aren’t suggesting you stay here and help Stew instead of going to school, are you?” When she said it like that, it did seem silly.
Deza’s education is very important to Deza's mother.
Who wrote The Mighty Miss Malone?
Christopher Paul Curtis
The Mighty Miss Malone is written in _____ point of view.
first person
During what time period does the story take place?
during the Great Depression
Why does Loretta tell Deza that she must be a genius to get a C+?
Deza has received the highest grade out of all African American students.
What the does the following excerpt reveal about Mrs. Needham? (HINT: How has Mrs. Needham helped Deza?)
"But one of Mrs. Needham’s lessons stuck: I was learning how to toughen up."
Mrs. Needham has helped Deza mature emotionally to prepare her for new challenges in her new school.
What is the genre of the novel The Mighty Miss Malone?
historical fiction
Who is Deza's English teacher in Flint, Michigan?
Mr. Smith
Where does Deza go at the beginning of the excerpt?
to school
Why does Mrs. Stew have Deza help the new children get used to living in camp?
Deza has seniority in camp and a bubbly personality. She has lived in camp for a long time and is very nice.
What does the following excerpt reveal about Deza's math teacher in Flint, Michigan? (HINT: How are Deza's teachers in Flint, Michigan different from her teachers in Gary, Indiana?)
"'Hmm, perfect again, but next time you must make sure to show all your work.'"
White teachers in Flint, Michigan do not treat African American students fairly.
TRUE or FALSE: Christopher Paul Curtis was the first author to win the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award for Bud, Not Buddy.
True
Who was Deza's teacher in Gary, Indiana?
Mrs. Needham
Where does Deza live?
Why is the boy nervous around Deza?
The boy has a crush on Deza.
What does the following passage reveal about Deza? (HINT: What is Deza extremely committed to?)
“We didn’t have a official address so I couldn’t check out any books, but I still got to read.”
Deza is extremely committed to her studies.
The Mighty Miss Malone was published in _____.
2012
Why is Deza extremely committed to her studies?
Deza goes to the library every day after school so she can read.
How are Deza's teachers in Flint, Michigan different from her teachers in Gary, Indiana?
In Flint, all of Deza's teachers are white and do not treat African American students fairly.
Why does Deza kiss the boy three times on the forehead?
Deza feels sorry for the boy and realizes that he is all alone.
What does the following passage reveal about the boy?
“'Yup, I got three kisses.'
He held up four fingers."
The boy is poorly educated.