Characters
This older brother tries to discourage Wes from entering the drug trade, despite being involved in that lifestyle himself.
Who is Tony?
Tony's warnings to Wes illustrate this theme involving the impact of older siblings and other influential people.
What is the influence of role models?
What did Wes's mom do with his drugs?
What is flushing them down the toilet?
How did Author Wes feel when he stood outside Jessup Correctional Institution in Chapter 4?
What is the reminder of his daily freedom, the ability to move, explore...?
The power to affect someone's behavior or decisions?
What is influence?
This mother discovers evidence of her son's involvement in drug dealing and takes action to discourage his behavior.
Who is Mary Moore?
The differences between the boys' school and neighborhood experiences demonstrate this theme.
What is the influence of environment on personal development?
Who never snitched on the author for ditching school?
Who is Shani?
How did Other Wes explain the large collection of new Nikes in his room to his mother and brother?
What is money from DJing?
Help or encouragement given to someone
What is support?
This character struggles to balance the expectations of his private school with his desire to fit in with neighborhood friends.
Who is the author Wes Moore?
Mary's attempts to intervene in Wes's behavior highlight this theme involving family relationships.
What is parental guidance and responsibility?
What was the author's nickname and tag?
Who is KK (Kid Kupid)?
Why did Tony physically confront Other Wes in Chapter 4?
What is noticing the amount of new Nikes overflowing in his room and his new clothes?
A punishment where a student is required to stay at school after hours
What is detention?
This character's contradictory behavior demonstrates how someone can recognize the dangers of a lifestyle while continuing to participate in it.
Who is Tony?
The other Wes's continued involvement in drug dealing despite warnings develops this theme about personal decisions?
What is choice and consequences?
Why was the author put in handcuffs?
What is being caught for graffitiing?
What did Other Wes and Tony do together during their younger years before drugs entered their lives?
What is catching lighting bugs in jars, playing freeze tag on the Cherry Hill streets, and going to Ocean City with their mother?
Training to improve behavior or skills through rules and practice
What is discipline?
This character was a loyal companion who did not snitch on her brother for skipping school.
Who is Shani Moore?
By showing how both boys face pressures but respond differently, Moore challenges the idea that a person's future is determined entirely by this factor.
What is their environment or circumstances?
What is true about Shani?
What is her friend punched her in the nose?
What confused Other Wes about his relationship with Tony in Chapter 4?
What is wanting to be just like Tony, but Tony wanted Wes to be nothing like him?
The surroundings or conditions in which a person lives or operates
What is environment?