Friendships and Loss
According to the newspaper account, what happened on the evening of November 8th?
Andy Jackson was driving drunk while three friends rode with him in the car. There was an accident. Two of the friends were not injured, but one was trapped in the car and killed by the engine fire.
B.J. was the only one not drinking on the night of the accident. Later, he feels guilty and wonders if he should have stopped them from driving or offered to drive. What reason does he give for not speaking up?
He feels lucky to hang out with them, so he never tries to change their plans.
Who takes Rob's old position on the basketball court as center?
Andy
Why does Andy choose to let his grades slide?
He says his parents push him to be something he isn't, his friends make fun of him if he does well, and his teachers don't think he is smart.
Describe the relationship between Andy and Keisha based on Andy's comments after the game on November 7th.
Though Andy is bragging about his relationship with Keisha, it is obvious from the teasing of the other boys that Keisha is very important to Andy.
What types of questions does B.J. ask in his prayer following the accident?
He asks questions that deal with why the accident happened and whether or not he is to blame.
How does Andy's personality change following the accident? What do his friends begin to notice about him?
Andy likes to be alone a lot, and he has crying spells. They also say he is depressed.
Rob's parents attend the first game after the accident. What effect does this have on the team and on Andy?
The team plays better knowing that Rob's parents are in the stands. The presence of Rob's parents and the lack of Andy's parents makes Andy feel even more guilty that he lived instead of Rob.
Describe the relationship between Andy and Rob as shown in their conversation after the basketball game on November 7th.
It is clear that Rob and Andy are close friends through their friendly teasing back and forth. They discuss a variety of issues, such as grades, parents, and girls in their short conversation.
What is Rhonda's most frightening moment?
Realizing that young people can die
What three things would Gerald get rid of if he could change the world? Tell why he would get rid of each.
Gerald says he would get rid of peanut butter, Band-Aids, and five dollar bills. These things are symbolic of abandonment, prejudice, and abuse.
What is Keisha's response when Andy invites her to ride on the bus with him out to the mall? Why is this response significant?
"You're getting on my nerves." This upsets Andy and makes him feel rejected by Keisha. It also shows that Keisha is beginning to lose her patience with Andy's outbursts.
Why doesn't Gerald go riding with his friends after the game?
Gerald hints that his father is strict and says he must hurry home after the game to avoid a more serious situation.
Rhonda mentions that grief counselors have come to the school to help students deal with the accident. What does she say really helps students the most in dealing with Rob's death?
Talking in small groups with other students
Andy is outstanding in the first basketball game after the accident. After the game, Coach tells Andy, "Without you, we'd fall apart." What is Andy's response?
He admits that he isn't holding himself together and is still struggling to understand his feelings regarding the accident.
Why does Keisha call her mother to come pick her and Andy up at the mall?
Andy gets really depressed and stops talking. She calls her mom to come pick them up when the day stops being fun for her and she gets bored with Andy's mood.
How does Keisha respond to the news about the accident and Rob's death in her phone conversation with Rhonda?
Keisha is worried about all four of the boys and hopes they are all okay. When she discovers Rob died, she has a hard time dealing with the news and tells Rhonda she's never known anyone who has died before, except her grandmother who was old.
Tyrone's statement to the police after the accident included many details about that evening. In five sentences or less, summarize the most important facts Tyrone gives the police.
All of the boys had been drinking that night except B.J. The car was swerving and people were honking to signal the car was weaving, but the boys thought it was funny. All of a sudden they hit a wall and Tyrone rolled out of the rear passenger door. He helped Andy out of the front seat and met B.J. by the front passenger seat where Rob was pinned in the car since he had his feet on the dashboard. They tried to get Rob out, but the engine fire made it impossible.
What are three points Andy makes when he talks to the coach on his first day back to school after the accident?
Andy confesses he is having a difficult time dealing with the accident. He says he wished he had died right after the accident and wished it could have been him instead of Rob. He also feels as if he should have been punished more by the court.
The December 20th poetry assignments give us important information about each character and touch on many themes in the novel. What Characters do we hear from and describe the tone of their poem.
Andy: sad/depressing
Rhonda: sweet/love compassion Keisha: Angry
BJ: Demanding/Sweet/Funny
Gerald: Lazy/Doesn’t believe in himself