GIFTS & PLANS
This is the gift Mrs. Davidson gave Joetta that she didn’t like because it didn’t look like her.
an angel
This is the word Grandma Sands really said that Byron thought was “Wool Pooh.”
whirlpool
This was the loud noise Kenny and the neighborhood heard on Sunday.
the church bombing
This imaginary creature Kenny thinks is after him after the bombing.
the Wool Pooh
This city is where the Watson family lives at the beginning of the book.
Flint, Michigan
This is Dad’s secret plan that Kenny overhears before they leave Flint.
Dad plans to drive non-stop to Birmingham
This dangerous place Grandma Sands was warning the children about.
Collier’s Landing
This is where the explosion happened.
the church
This is what Kenny thought was happening when he returned to his room.
He thinks the Wool Pooh is taking Joetta around for her final visits
This nickname Byron gives Kenny because he reads a lot and is smart.
Poindexter
Dad says being a grown-up is like this.
It's like driving a car; difficult at first, but it gets easier with practice.
This happened at Collier’s Landing a couple of years earlier.
a boy drowned
This is what Kenny saw when he arrived at the church after the bombing.
the destroyed church and people crying
This emotion Kenny struggles with after the bombing.
fear (or guilt/trauma)
This character said: "my fambily, my beautiful, beautiful fambily."
Grandma Sands
This family member created the plan to leave Byron in Alabama.
Momma
This is why Collier’s Landing is dangerous.
strong currents (or a whirlpool)
This is why Joetta left the church before the explosion.
she thought she saw Kenny and ran after him
This is how Byron begins to change by the end of the story.
he becomes more caring and mature
This is the name of the Watson family car that they drive to Alabama.
the Brown Bomber
Byron has to go to Alabama for this reason.
He needs to get away from trouble in Flint and straighten out.
This family member warns the children about the dangers at the water.
Grandma Sands
This is what Kenny feared happened to Joetta right after the explosion.
he thought she was hurt (or dead)
This is how Byron helped Kenny at the end of the book.
He spends time with him and talks to him
This is the grandmother the Watsons visit in Alabama.
Grandma Sands