Steven’s World
This is Steven’s main passion and the thing that helps him cope with stress.
What is drumming?
Jeffrey is Steven’s younger brother who is diagnosed with this illness.
What is leukemia?
Steven plays this instrument in band and jazz ensembles.
What are the drums?
One major theme of the novel is growing up faster than expected.
What is maturity?
This incident early in the novel introduces the title and Steven’s frustration.
What is the Dangerous Pie incident?
Steven often feels insecure at school, especially around this popular girl.
Who is Renee Albert?
The family must travel to this city for Jeffrey’s treatment.
What is Philadelphia?
Music gives Steven a place where he feels confident and valued because it does this.
What is allows him to express himself and feel successful?
Steven learns that jealousy and anger are often caused by this deeper feeling.
What is fear?
Jeffrey’s accident with oatmeal leads to this major discovery.
What is his cancer diagnosis?
Steven’s nickname in the All-City Jazz Band shows how others see his age and status.
What is “The Peasant”?
Steven initially feels this emotion when he learns Jeffrey is sick, which he later regrets.
What is relief?
Steven’s drumming improves greatly during this difficult period in his life.
What is during Jeffrey’s illness?
The novel shows that humor can be both helpful and harmful in this way.
What is it can hide pain but also prevent honest communication?
Steven realizes Annette has been this to him all along.
What is a loyal friend?
Steven uses humor throughout the novel mainly to do this.
What is cope with uncomfortable or painful situations?
This family change causes Steven to feel neglected and invisible at times.
What is his parents’ attention being focused on Jeffrey?
Steven is invited to perform with this prestigious music group.
What is the All-City Jazz Band?
Steven’s relationship with Annette represents this theme.
What is true friendship and loyalty?
Steven’s biggest emotional turning point is when he accepts this role.
What is being Jeffrey’s protector?
Steven’s biggest internal struggle is learning how to balance these two roles.
What are being a normal teenager and being a responsible older brother?
By the end of the novel, Steven learns this important truth about family.
What is that love sometimes means sacrifice and responsibility?
Music symbolizes this larger idea in the novel.
What is hope and emotional survival?
By the end of the book, Steven understands that strength does not mean this.
What is being unemotional or unaffected by pain?
The novel ultimately ends with Steven gaining this.
What is understanding and emotional growth?