Blue
What does Ganwar’s facial scar, gaar, symbolize?
Becoming a man and bravery.
Who is Kek's first friend in America?
Hannah
Why did Kek decide to stop working on Lou’s farm?
Kek was angry that Lou wanted to move away and sell the farm.
What is the name of the main character in the novel?
Kek
Where is Kek originally from?
Sudan,Africa
Which of the following best explains how Kek feels when he first arrives in America?
Kek feels out of place and confused in snowy Minnesota.
Who does Kek live with after arriving in America?
His aunt and cousin, Ganwar
How does Kek feel about the weather in Minnesota?
He thinks it is interesting, but doesn't enjoy the snow- finds it too cold.
Who helps Kek learn English the most?
His teachers
How does Kek feel about school in America?
He loves it, he is not used to all the amazing things school in America has to offer!
What lesson does Kek learn by the end of the novel?
A) Life is always easy.
B) Home is where you feel safe.
C) Friends are not important.
D) Change is not necessary.
Home is where you feel safe.
Read the sentences from the text.
My own heart grows so big with pride I fear it might pop open like a ripe seedpod.
The author uses poetic language to -
a. show how Kek feels very proud that he was able to buy her a gift.
b. criticize Kek’s prideful ego.
c. illustrate how Kek shopping at the mall makes Kek feel happy.
a. show how Kek feels very proud that he was able to buy her a gift.
Kek carries a small piece of blue and yellow cloth in his pocket. Where was this cloth from?
His mother's dress
Describe two challenges that Kek faces in America.
-Going to school
-Breaking his aunts dishes/getting a job
- Not knowing where his mom is
- Missing his family
Any other acceptable answers from Miss Ali and Miss Murillo.
Which of the following details does not imply that Hannah can relate to Kek?
A "I kind of know what it’s like to not know things."
B "Things will get easier."
C "Sorry. It’s a dump, I know."
D "My mom’s in rehab, and my dad… well he hasn’t been around since I was a baby."
C "Sorry. It’s a dump, I know."
How does attending school in America differ from school in Sudan for Kek?
He did not have a desk, his teachers barely came to school because of the men with guns, he did got go to school very often.
Read the sentences from the text.
Sorry, It’s a dump. I know. Hannah sigs. My last foster parents were total neat freaks.
Hannah’s tone can be described as -
embarrassed
Which past experience impacts Kek’s perspective of the American grocery store?
Kek witnessed a baby who had been starving for so long, that when the mother tried to feed him, he refused to eat and died.
Read the sentences from the text.
"You laugh like your brother, Ganwar says. His grin is gone."
What can the reader infer?
Ganwar is happy when he hears Kek’s laugh, but it reminds him of the terrible thing that happened to Kek’s brother.
Read the sentence from the text.
Ganwar’s words lie in my lap like huge rocks I am not strong enough to move.
What do you suppose this means?
Ganwars words hit deep to Kek. He cannot get them out of his head even if he tried.
How are Ganwar and Kek’s perspectives on living in America different?
Kek is positive, he still hopes to have a good life by trying to honor his family and find his mom. He wants to accept living in America by learning english and american culture.
Ganwar is negative, he disagrees with living in America and does not want to try. He feels angry, smokes and drinks, and does not want to get a job or try to live life in America normally.
Gol, Kek, and Ganwar are similar because-
a. they are all originally from Africa.
b. they all have to adjust to a new home/life.
c. they all have to face the fact that life is depressing and lonely.
B
Hannah’s laugh is described as “a sound like bells on a windy day.” What does the author’s use of figurative language help show the reader?
Hannah is cheerful and welcoming.
What do Kek and Gol have in common?
They both seem lonely.
They both recently lost a person who took care of them.
What is the theme of the story? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer. (Restate the Question, Name the theme, and explain why you believe this is the theme.)
The theme of the story is "Hope can help people survive hard times and go on." I believe this is the theme because hope helps Kek survive many hard things- losing his mom, his home and his family, moving to a completely new country because of war, etc. However, Kek still holds on to his hope and sees brightness in dark days.