Chapter 1
Why does Brent want to fit in so badly?
His family moves around a lot, so he's never able to make good friends.
What is the practice of "visualization"?
Trying to picture your ideal future in the hopes that it will come true with the power of your thoughts.
What is the name of the girl Brent killed in a drunk driving accident?
Lea Zamora
The title of this chapter is...?
Miami, Florida
What is the difference between a symbol and motif?
A motif is just a repeated symbol
What is Brent's relationship with his parents like?
He's not very close with his parents. They don't seem to get what he's going through.
What is the difference between Alexandra and Steph?
Alexandra prioritizes getting/having a boyfriend where as Steph doesn't care so much and is more interested in marine biology.
What was Lea's mother's request for Brent and why?
She wanted him to build whirligig's in the four corners of the U.S. to keep Lea's spirit alive.
Where is the narrator of this chapter originally from?
Puerto Rico
What motif can be found throughout chapter 1?
Chess/Chess Pieces this repeated symbol helps convey that Brent not only feels like an outsider, but it shows the pressure and strategy he applies to his social life.
How does Brianna contribute to the plot of chapter one?
She publicly rejects Brent which leads him to get behind the wheel of his car.
How does Steph pay her respects to the whirligig?
Every year she goes back and paints it/cleans it.
What is the difference between restitution and retribution?
Restitution= you are paying back society or the person you harmed in some way.
Retribution= you are being punished for the harm you caused.
Why does Flaco originally like the shearwater birds? What does he realize about them?
He thinks they are peaceful and independent, but when he gets out on the water he sees them fighting over food and realizes he was completely wrong about them.
What Greek mythological figure does Brent compare himself to and why?
Hercules because he also has to work to make up for his wrongs.
What was Lea's mother's request for Brent and why?
She wanted him to build whirligig's in the four corners of the U.S. to keep Lea's spirit alive.
What do the girls believe the whirligig/the wind that blows it symbolizes?
They believe it symbolizes unseen powers similar to your thoughts.
How does Brent view his life after the crash?
The title of the chapter is The Afterlife; Brent feels like he has started a second life.
What makes Flaco realize he needs to return home?
The wooden marching band by the restaurant.
What are the three most common allusions that authors make?
Shakespeare, Bible, Greek and Roman Mythology
What is Brent very concerned about at the beginning of chapter one? How does this influence the plot?
Brent is concerned about his image and being popular. This is what eventually leads him to make such a bad choice and get behind the wheel of a car.
What is the title of Chapter 2? What does it reveal to us?
Weeksboro, Maine. It signals that we are not reading from Brent's POV. We are seeing someone encounter one of his whirligigs in the future.
Who helps Brent along the way in this chapter?
The cyclist from Canada gives him a place to stay on his campground.
What does Flaco start doing to get his peace and quiet and still love/enjoy his family?
He becomes a streetsweeper and works super early in the morning before anyone else is awake.
What is a karass?
a disparate group of people linked together without their knowledge.