Brents Karass
Who are Alexandra and Stephanie and what did they do?
They are best friends friends.
Alexandra wanted to help Stephanie find a boyfriend, used guided imagery looking at the whirligig by a cliffside.
What instrument does Brent learn to play in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?
The Harmonica
Where does Brent sleep his first day in Florida and why?
The beach because hotel check-in was not until 3pm.
What is the meaning of RESTITUTION and how is this word meaningful to the novel?
Recompense for injury or loss. Brent is providing restitution to Lea's mother by making the whirligig's and placing them in the four corners of the US.
What does the whirligig symbolize for Jenny and her grandmother?
Forgiveness.
Her grandmother believes that there is good and bad people in the world. The Whirligig represented the good ("like the one who made this wind toy to give happiness to all who pass"), Auschwitz & Hitler were the bad.
Who is Flaco and what is his role in the novel?
Flaco is a street cleaner who tries to find peace in his chaotic life.
Who is Anthony (Tony) and what is his delimma?
5th grader, does not want to play the violin and his mom has extremely high expectations for him
Is Brent worried about the hurricanes in Ch. 7 (Apprentices)?
No, the kids will remake and repair the whirligigs.
What is the meaning of CONSPICUOUS? Why is this word important to the novel?
Attracting attention
Example: Brent and Jonathan were conspicuous at the party because they were not wearing black and white.
What does the Whirligig symbolize to Anthony (Tony)?
It first stood for the pressure his mother put on him and then the release of that pressure.
Who is Emil?
18 year old from Germany. Takes Brent on an adventure through the city (San Diego), wants to be a biologist, helps Brent to find passions and things that he is interested in (harmonica, stars, reading the book he gave him).
What three stars are important to Brent in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?
The summer triangle: Dened, Vega, Altair
Ch. 7- Who is Trisha and what does Brent confide in her?
The cleaning lady for his hotel room. That he is alone.
What is the meaning of REPENTANCE and why is it important to the novel?
Having regret for sin or wrongdoing
Brent! Throughout the entire book, Brent has repentance for killing Lea.
What does the whirligig represent for Steph?
Steph comes to associate the whirligig with the idea of unseen, illogical forces in the world. That you can manifest the things that you desire most.
How are the canadian biker and Antony (Tony) connected?
By the Whirligig in Washington. The Canadian biker shares the campsite where Brent makes the whirligig and Anthony stays at the same campsite.
What show did Anthony pretend he was a guest on during Bellevue, Washington.
Bob Baker's Mariner's pregame show.
Who is Jenny and what is she asked to do?
Jenny is a 15 year old from San Diego, CA. Her grandmother asks her to visit 4 different places that are significant to her life.
What is the meaning of BOISTEROUS and give me 2 examples of boisterous characters and why you chose them.
Noisy, loud, expressive high spirits
1. The children who helped Brent create the marching band whirligig
2. Alexandra, uses guided imagery with enthusiasm to help Steph get a boyfriend
3. Flaco's family that he lives with
4. Chaz, life of the party in chapter 1
5. Jenny's grandmothers family
6. The hostel during dinner
What do all of the Whirligig's symbolize for the characters?
Each whirligig represents a specific message of hope and healing.
What does Brent's karass teach us throughout the novel? What is the theme behind Brent's Karass?
The powerful cause-and-effect relationship among the actions of individuals.
Who helped Anthony talk to his mom after his violin recital? Why and did it help?
Mr. Mints, his violin teacher, because he didn't want to play anymore and felt pressure from his mom.
"Rest gives strength to activity"
It worked and she let him quit violin.
What are the four places that Jenny and her grandmother visit and what is their significance?
1. White tree: birch tree, represents her childhood in Poland
2. Chinese restaurant: used to be her stationary store she ran with her husband for 26 years until he died
3. Stucco house shedding paint: Rachel her dead sisters house
4. Squat white bungalow: where her grandmother raised her children
EXTRA: the hostel where the Whirligig was
What is the meaning of DISCERNING and give me an example from the book.
Having or showing good judgment.
What is the main theme of Whirligig?
The Far-Reaching and Unknowable Consequences of Actions.
The mediator expresses the main theme of Whirligig when she says, “We never know all the consequences of our acts. They reach into places we can't see. And into the future, where no one can” (38).