Characters
Character Motivation
100
Why does Castle (Ghost) decide to step onto the track and race Lu during practice? How does this choice change Castle’s life?
Actions & Consequences
100
What causes Castle to get into a fight with Brandon at school? How do Castle's feelings about his past cause him to react the way he does?
Character Choices
200
Castle lies to Coach Brody about why he was suspended from school. Why does Castle choose to lie, and what does Coach do when he finds out the truth?
Decision & Plot
200
What causes Castle to steal the silver running shoes from Everything Sports? How does this bad decision create a major problem for him later in the story?
Understanding Characters
300
Why does Castle feel out of place during his first official track practice? What specific thing makes him feel so self-conscious around his teammates?
Setting & Relationships
300
Why does Castle go to Mr. Charles’s store when he skips school? What does his relationship with Mr. Charles reveal about what Castle needs in his life?
Character Connections & Theme
400
During the "newbie dinner," the teammates share secrets with each other. How does sharing his story help Castle feel like he belongs on the team?
Internal Conflict
400
Even though Castle feels closer to his team after the dinner, he still keeps his stolen shoes a secret. What is Castle afraid will happen if Coach Brody finds out?
Coach’s Influence
500
How does Coach Brody react when he discovers that Castle stole the shoes? What lesson is Coach trying to teach Castle by making him face what he did?
Understanding the Theme
500
Coach Brody tells Castle that he cannot run away from who he is, but he can run toward who he wants to be. What does this mean, and how do Castle’s actions at the end of Chapter 9 show that he is trying to change?