Characters
What is Father's profession?
lawyer/civil rights leader
"You can't be the rock and the river, Sam."
Stick
What happens to stick at the protest in the beginning of the book?
He gets in a fight and takes a bottle to the head.
What does Sam find hidden in the block tower?
a gun
Who's POV is the story told from?
First person; Sam
What is Mama's biggest concern throughout the novel?
her family
"Don't try. Do."
What did the Black Panthers do for the kids at school?
feed them breakfast
What happened when Raheem, Leory, Lester, and Stick approached the officers that were digging through Charlie's box?
They threatened the officers and forced them to leave Charlie alone.
What time period did the novel take place?
during the 1960s; Civil Rights movement
What is Maxine's brothers name?
Raheem
"It's the difference between demonstrating and organizing, between waiting for handouts that aren't coming, or taking care of each other the way we have to. It's the rock and the river you know? They serve each other, but they're not the same thing."
Stick
He accidentally ran into the officers when he was trying to get back to work.
Where did Sam bring the gun?
Bucky's trial.
Who wrote The Rock and The River?
Kekla Magoon
In the beginning, which friend of Stick's stays over night to get out of the cold?
Bucky
“You're only responsible for your own actions. You can't control how someone else reacts to what you do. You made a choice. Stand by it.”
Father
Why does father fly to Atlanta in Chapter 7?
To attend the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr.
What kept replaying on the TV?
Father being stabbed at a demonstration.
What is the overall message of the novel?
There is no correct way to be brave and fight for what you believe in.
What is Stick's real name?
Steven
"The hypocrisy is so deep, we can't even see it most of the time."
Leroy
Why does Stick finally tell his father that he is a Panther?
Because MLK tried to do things the peaceful way and he was shot. Stick says its time to fight back.
What does Stick mean when he tells Sam he can't be the rock and the river?
He means that Sam has to make a choice and not play both sides.
Who was the prominent civil rights leader who was born in Omaha, and who was later assassinated for his beliefs?
Malcom X