James
How many siblings does James have?
12
What is the Yiddish word for Grandmother?
Bubbeh
What is a major difference that James notices between his mother and his friend’s mothers?
She is White
What was the occupation of Ruth’s Father?
Rabbi turned business man
In what state did James and his family live in?
New York
Why does James travel to Virginia?
To learn more about his mother's past.
How many men does Ruth marry?
2
What did Ruth’s dad do to her as a child to cause low self-esteem?
Sexually Abused Her
What was the name of James’ step-father?
Hunter Jordan
What was the name of Ruth’s Family store?
Shilsky's Grocery Store
What did James do to earn his scholarship to Europe?
Work as a server for the woman sponsoring him.
What was Ruth’s family ethnicity and religion?
Polish Orthodox Jewish
What was the name of the activist group that James’ sister joined?
Black Panthers
What were the eldest siblings of the house called?
Kings and Queens
Where did James go during the summers after he was kicked out of summer school?
Lived with his sister and her husband in Louisville
How old is James when his step-father dies?
14
What was Ruth’s Jewish First Name?
Ruchel
Who is standing next to Ruth when James leaves for camp on the bus?
A Black Panther
Why did Ruth’s Mother and Father get married?
An arranged marriage
What was the name of Ruth’s favorite church?
New Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Name one Instrument James plays
Clarinet, Sax, Flute, and Bass
What was the name of the man who impregnated Ruth when she was a teenager?
Peter
After James’ stepfather dies what does James do?
Skips school and smokes weed
Name James’ siblings (or as many as possible)
Richie, Billy, Helen, Dennis, Rosetta, David, Judy, Henry, Kathy, James, Dotty, Jack
Where did Ruth grow up?
Suffolk, VA