Characters
The main protagonist and narrator of the story.
Delphine
This character struggles with being bullied for carrying around a white baby doll.
Fern
Who destroys Ms. Patty Cake with a black marker?
Vonetta
Familial bonds specifically, mother to daughter
In what city does most of the story take place?
Oakland, California
Helped Pa raise the girls after Cecile left. Taught Delphine responsibility.
Big Ma
When they are boarding the plane back home to New York, the girls struggle with an internal conflict. They do not want to leave until they get what they came to California for.
A hug from Cecile, their mother
The girls visit this city without Cecile's permission.
San Francisco
At the beginning of the story, Delphine describes the turbulence of the plane as if it were giving "another Cassius Clay—left—and—a—right jab to the body of our Boeing 727." What figurative language term is this an example of?
Personification
What is the setting at the start of the story? Where are the girls?
At the airport/ on a plane leaving New York
What is Cecile's poet name?
Nzila
Delphine struggles to admit to this person that she likes Hirohito Woods.
Eunice
Crazy Kelvin talking to the police.
DAILY DOUBLE: What is one example of foreshadowing from the story?
Crazy Kelvin at the phone booth; Fern's barking; "I saw something"
Who were the Black Panthers?
They were a group of people, mainly black men and women, who were trying to fight against racial injustices and poverty. They led the Black Power Movement.
Taught the children about their revolution and black history at the People's Center.
Sister Mukumbu
She is concerned about the riots in Oakland and wonders why Cecile can't come to see the girls in New York.
What major event occurs when the story reaches its highest moment of suspense, or climax?
Bobby Hutton Rally; Fern's poem exposing Crazy Kelvin
What message does the author send about standing up for beliefs?
It is important to speak out and fight against injustices
During what decade does the novel take place?
What is the 1960s?
Half Japanese, half black boy from the People's Center, whose mother takes the girls in when Cecile is arrested.
Hirohito Woods?
Besides not getting to pick Fern's name, what was the main reason for why did Cecile left the girls and Pa?
She knew she could not be the mother they needed.
What advice does Cecile give Delphine the night before they leave for New York?
Be eleven while you still can.
How does Delphine's view of the Black Panthers change throughout the story?
At first, she views the Black Panthers as troublemakers because of what she saw on tv with Big Ma. But after spending time in the People's Center, she finds herself wanting to support the movement leading up to the rally.
What is one example of the kind of work the Black Panthers did for their cause?
Medical programs, free community breakfast, community patrolling, and accessible education