Figurative Language
“The kitchen is as quiet as a prayer.”
What type of figurative language is this an example of?
Simile
Name three symptoms that ZJ's dad is struggling with since all of the concussions in football.
Shaking hands, memory loss, anger, pain, repeating things
Who is ZJ's friend who is adopted and good with numbers?
Ollie
What instrument does ZJ play?
Guitar
What is the thing ZJ loves the most?
Music
“It smells like leather and dirt and sweat and new snow. I love football with all of my senses. Love the taste and feel of the air in my mouth running with the ball on a cold day. Love the smell of the ball when I press it to my face and the smell of the field right after it rains.” (Woodson 12-13)
What type of figurative language is this?
Imagery
What does the setting in the New Years Eve poem symbolize for his dad based on this quote:
"The world as we'd always known it has already ended"
His world is ending- His dad is not well and he doesn't remember his friend's names. ZJ can't ignore it anymore
Which of ZJ's friends is super chill and can do tricks on his bike?
Ollie, Darry or Daniel?
Daniel
Setting/ Where does ZJ rap a song along to a beastie boys song with his dad?
In the car driving home from school
What point of view is the story told from?
First Person
“And in winter, when Crabby’s branches are getting beat down by a cold win, I wonder if she’s upset no one covered her up with a tree blanket.”
What is the above an example of?
Personification
What do the doctors say ZJ's dad is no longer allowed to do (besides football)?
Drive a car
Who can dance "like water flowing"? And what type of figurative language is this?
Darry & Simile
What song makes Daddy remember meeting his wife for the first time?
Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Why does ZJ promise to write daddy more songs?
It helps him remember
When ZJ tells his grandma "feels like we're in deep water" what does the deep water symbolize? Explain how it relates to his family.
Deep water is they are in trouble- his dad is not getting better and life as they know it has changed. There doesn't seem to be a way out and the doctors don't know what is wrong
What does the following quote show about ZJ's dad's memory?
"Your eyes looking at every part of my face like I'd just appeared in front of you."
He is confused and doesn't recognize his son.
Who tackles ZJ in football and wants to be a professional football player?
Everett
What is the only thing the doctors realize is helping Daddy's memory?
Music
Why causes ZJ to walk away from football, maybe for good?
Everett tackles him and he realizes it is not worth the risk because of his father. He might be done with football for good.
“My daddy pulls his hands away from his head. For a long time, he doesn’t say anything, just looks at them. They’re shaking like dead leaves shake just before the wind blows them off the trees.”
This is an example of...
Simile
What does Daddy do that causes the police and ambulance to come to their house and Uncle Sightman to show up to be there for ZJ?
He punches the window in the middle of the night saying he needs to make it to the plane
Give specific examples in the text of ways that ZJ's friends and family support him. Give at least two and explain why it's important to ZJ.
They are there for him- Grandma says it will be ok
Friends show up at the party
They are there for each other, even when dad is different.
Uncle Sightman shows up when Daddy punches a window in the middle of the night. Grandma and Auntie flies in to be with them
What does ZJ bring the hospital when he visits his dad?
His Guitar so they can play and sing songs together.
The final poem of the book is titled "Music"- why is music so important to the story? What role does it play in ZJ and his dad's relationship?
Music is something they love to do together and it is the only thing that is helping his dad remember things