Ch. 1-2
The setting of the novel is...
Mississippi in the 1930's.
What do the Logans do to take revenge upon the bus?
They dig a large trench/ditch for it to fall into.
During the visit to Strawberry, why does Cassie become so angry at Mr. Barnett?
Mr. Barnett helps the white customers first rather than the blacks, even though the blacks were there first. He treats them like they aren't there, and Cassie is too ignorant to understand the reasons for his behavior.
How does T.J. get Stacey to give him his coat?
He tells Stacey that he looks like a "fat preacher" and that he (TJ) would be willing to hold onto it until Stacey grows into it.
How do the Wallaces and others get back at the Logans for taking their business away?
They shoot Papa, and his leg gets broken after getting run over by the wagon wheel (which results in Papa not being able to go back to work right away).
Papa has to go to work on the railroad because...
they need extra money for the taxes and mortgage.
What does Stacey do when his mom finds the cheat notes on his desk during the test?
He takes the whipping and later beats up T.J. for it.
Why does Big Ma make Cassie apologize to Lillian Jean Simms?
She was trying to avoid trouble.
They buy what everyone needs in Vicksburg and get Mr. Jamison to back up their credit.
How do the Logans get enough money to pay the mortgage payment at the end of the book?
Uncle Hammer sells his Packard.
Why are Little Man and Cassie so upset by their textbooks?
The condition is marked "very poor" for black students and the books are no longer "good enough" for white students.
Who is Mr. Morrison, what is he like, and why does Papa bring him home?
Mr. Morrison is a strong, tall, and muscular black man who is honest, sober, and silent. Papa brings him home to help work the land and to protect his family while he's away.
Which of these is one of Uncle Hammer's strongest character traits?
pensive, quiet, patient, or hot-tempered
hot-tempered
What lesson does Uncle Hammer teach to Stacey after he had given his coat away?
Be a man. Don't care so much about what other people say. Have some brains and have enough sense to know a good thing when you see it, and then hold on to it.
R.W. and Melvin make fun of T.J. and are not actually real friends. T.J. is too ignorant to understand that they are just using him.
The four Logan children don't like the Jefferson Davis bus because...
it splashes them/their clothes every morning. OR
only the white kids get to ride the bus. OR
the bus driver tries to drive near them on purpose.
Why doesn't Mama want her children to go to the Wallace store?
They make fun of black people there. OR
There is a lot of drinking/dancing going on there. OR
They are responsible for what happened to the Berrys.
How does Mama explain Mr. Simms’ behavior to Cassie?
Mama explains that the whites think that they are better than the blacks, even though they aren't, and that makes them behave the way they do.
"White is something just like black is something."
What TWO things does Cassie do to ensure that Lillian Jean won't tell who beat her up?
She only hits her in places that won't show. AND
She threatens to tell all her secrets if she tattles. OR
She teases her saying that everyone will make fun of her for getting beat up by a child.
What happened to TJ that caused him to come running to Stacey for help?
R.W. and Melvin brought him to the Wallace store to try to steal things. When all three of them were seen by the Barnetts, R.W. hit Mr. Barnett. When TJ said he would tell everyone what had happened, R.W. and Melvin beat him up badly.
The Berrys were set on fire because...
one of the Wallace brothers accused Henry of flirting with a white girl.
She takes them to the Berrys to see the cruelties and capabilities of the Wallaces.
Why does Mr. Morrison go after Uncle Hammer?
If he hadn't, Uncle Hammer may have gone and done something foolish, and they didn't want more trouble.
What reason is given for firing Mama from her job?
She is teaching Black history that is not in the textbooks.
What happened as a result of Papa starting the fire in his own cotton field?
All men and women, both black and white alike, came together as one to save their community.