Ch. 10-12
What is the Grandpa Liam paradox?
Everything that made sense also seemed ridiculous.
Provide two specific details to describe the character Matt Schroeder.
-Greasy blonde mullet
-Bad teeth
-Comes from a bad home life / meth at home
-Bully
-Dresses very country
Provide two specific details to describe Byron Cloud:
-Ezra's father
-Tall (6ft 3in)
-Imposing/Intimidating
-More muscle than fat
-A professor of Ojibwe at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
-"Big and formidable and brown"
Where do Ezra and Nora go in the morning, and why?
They go on a walk past the Schroeder residence to see the ashes/remnants and contemplate what happened.
What is one of the best inventions of White people according to Grandpa Liam?
The first is butter.
The second is bacon!!!!! "It is a gift to the whole world."
What does Ezra's training consist of from Grandpa Liam?
He had to get up early every day, sharpen all the knives, stock their supplies, saw and split wood.
Ezra daydreams often while at school. Tell me one things he daydreams about in Chapter 1:
Answers may vary: The snow in the cities versus countryside/reservation, Nora's appearance, thinking of Matt as a colonizer, thoughts of what it would be like to live during Custer's Last Stand in 1876 and kill a colonizer, his camping experience with Matt in 7th grade...
Describe the lecture Byron give his son Ezra about his anger:
He tells him how important it is to control his anger by recalling what happened to his relatives
Describe the three possible causes for the Matt's house to burn down, based on differing opinions in the neighborhood/law enforcement.
-Ezra burned the house down while on pain pills.
-A meth lab explosion burned the house down (Ezra thinks)
-Arson/Homicide (detectives think)
What information does Paul Taylor, the lawyer, present to the investigator that proves Ezra could have never committed the crime?
On the night of the fire, Ezra was at home asleep after having taken one Percocet. Given Ezra's weight and dosage, it would have been impossible for him to wake with enough energy to walk six blocks, fight people, start a fire, and hold a door.
How did Ezra's mom make him celebrate his birthday?
He had to buy presents for his parents and grandparents to thank them for bringing him into the world.
Chapter 2: What did Ezra do when he found out his mother was sick with cancer, and what was the result? Be specific based on what he says in the chapter.
He uses tobacco and prays for Creator for his mother to stop crying. The result was that she did stop crying, but that's because she died from the cancer.
What concerning statement/s does Ezra make at home that his father overhears?
-He mumbles that he should teach Matt a lesson and kill him.
-He says he should kill himself and then immediately regrets it.
When detective John Williams asks Byron if he can question the kids, Ezra and Nora, what is his reply?
"No it's not...we are happy to cooperate, but I wish to be present and want our attorney, Paul Taylor, to be present as well."
What has happened to Matt since the fire?
He was sent to foster care with his aunt in Milwaukee.
What were the red notebooks for?
Nora gave Ezra 2 notebooks to write down any clues he found about the fire and his feelings about his mom passing away.
Chapter 2: What are two things Matt Schroeder says/does to Nora that infuriates Ezra and causes him to punch a locker?
-He smacks a stack of books out of Nora's hands.
-He sees her on the ground and says she looks pretty and belongs on the floor.
-He says Nora should come to his house after school (suggesting sexual activity)
Describe, in-detail, the strange dream Ezra has after taking his pain pill.
Ezra dreams he is a wolf chasing a deer, Matt, through nature. The setting switches to the city where Ezra sets Matt's house on fire.
What does Matt accuse Ezra of, and what is his 'evidence'?
He accuses Ezra of setting his house on fire and killing his dad and uncle. His evidence is: "I saw you."
What "medicine" is used to boil the traps?
Cedar
"We have rules for every part of trapping, and it starts with offering tobacco and cleansing our tools with medicine."
What discovery does Ezra make about Grandma Emma at the end of Ch. 12?
She has distinct discolored burn scars on her palms.
Chapter 2: What happens to Ezra's hand?
It bleeds and swells, and he has to go to the hospital (Hennepin County Medical Center) to get stitches.
What news does Ezra learn from his father when he wakes in the morning? What does his dad think/worry about?
He learns that Matt's house actually burned down overnight. His dad worries that Ezra did it because of the previous day's fight and comments about wanting to kill Matt.
Where does Byron take his son, and for what reason?
Byron takes Ezra up to the Red Gut reservation where he Grandpa Liam and Grandma Emma live and where his tribe is from. He is there to have refuge from arson accusations and to get away from the drama around Matt's family.
Why did Grandma Emma fall in love with Grandpa Liam?
Grandpa Liam ran into a burning house to save her sister. She knew he would always be there to protect her.