Characters
What is Raul Ramirez's passion?
Art, painting
"School ain't nothin' but a joke. My moms don't want to hear that, but if it weren't for Wesley and my other homeys, I wouldn't even be here, aiight?"
Tyrone Bittings
How did the open mikes start?
Mr. Ward asked his class to write essays, but one boy (Wesley) turned in a poem that he ended up reading aloud. Many others wanted to make poetry and read it aloud as well.
What grade are Mr. Ward's students in? (college, high school, middle school, etc.)
High school
Who speaks after each person reads their poem?
Tyrone
Who has a reputation for being "a little touched in the head"? (page 52)
Porscha Johnson
"I've been drawing pictures all my life. I used to make my sister model for me."
Raul Ramirez
Leslie bumps into Porscha. They become friends because...
Both of their moms died/they both live with their grandmothers
What words would you associate with or use to describe the neighborhood that the majority of Mr. Ward's students live in?
How many students are in Mr. Ward's class? (Hint: it's on the back of the book.)
Eighteen students
Devon Hope is a basketball star... but what else does he love to do? (Hint: What kind of club are you in right now?)
Read in the library
"Lupe has no idea how lucky she is. How can I get through to her?"
Gloria Martinez
Raul Ramirez couldn't help but stare at Chankara after... (pages 12-21)
She read her poem about her boyfriend being abusive
Stressful, busy, loving but hard, a little regret, etc.
Who wrote the poem shaped like a Z?
Raul Ramirez
Who is Tyrone's best friend?
Wesley ("Bad Boy" Boone)
"I've got good height and good hands, and that's a fact. But what about the rest of me? Forget who I really am, who I really want to be."
Devon Hope
While Devon is in the library reading, who gives him a copy of The Panther & the Lash?
Janelle Battle
What words would you use to describe Tyrone's life when his dad was around? (page 17)
Scary, abusive, unhealthy, unsafe, etc.
Mr. Ward's class is learning about what?
What is Judianne Alexander's passion?
Fashion/sewing
"Sometimes I say my rosaries and beg for someone to love. I lay in bed under the crucifix and pray 'til my fingers go numb on the beads." (page 36)
Lupe Algarin
Janelle runs into _____ while talking to herself in the bathroom mirror.
Judianne Alexander
When did the Harlem Renaissance take place?
1920s
She wishes she were as bold. She admires how he displays his work for anyone to see.