Chapters 8-9
Who did Sampson meet when he sat down to take the test to get into University High School?
He met George.
"On the other side of Sampson sat a tall, lanky kid with braces on his teeth."
What are some of the things George, Rameck, and Sampson have in common?
"telling jokes, talking trash, laughing at crazy things their teachers did, shooting hoops in the gym, and listening to rap music as loud as they could crank it up"
Explain the benefits of the Seton Hall program that George, Rameck, and Sampson learn about in Chapter 12.
Who is Carla Dickson?
She is the woman who interviewed the boys for entry into the Seton Hall program. She is the student development specialist for the program.
Which of the three--George, Sampson, or Rameck--seemed to be the most positive influence in the group? Explain why.
George. He got into the least trouble and was always thinking in a positive way and encouraging the other two.
"I just believe it can happen. One of us might fail if he tried to do this alone. Three of us together just can't be beat.
Why was Sampson's mom so excited that he was a good reader?
She was excited because she had never learned to read.
"Sampson's mother had been forced to drop out of high school at an early age because of the death of her mother and had never learned to read. So Sampson knew how important his accomplishments were for her."
He wasn't tempted to do drugs because he didn't like feeling out of control and because he'd seen the damage they'd done to so many people around him.
How did George, Rameck, and Sampson end up at the information meeting about the Seton Hall program?
Their teacher kicked them out of class and the principal escorted them to the meeting when he caught them trying to leave to play basketball.
Why did Sampson's mother scream at his trial?
She thought that Sampson was getting sent to jail for two years instead of getting probation for two years.
On page 123, why do you think George felt like Carla Dickson felt so large to George?
"Barely five feet tall, with a warm, smiling, brown face, she seemed much larger to George as he sat down in her tiny office."
She was a powerful woman who could decide his future in the program.
Name the play Rameck was in and the character that he played.
Why did the neighborhood skate rink near the Dayton Street Projects close down?
What did the crackhead mean when he said "Let me cop a rock off y'all"?
He wanted to buy some crack from Rameck and his friends.
Why did Sampson think it was ok to steal money from drug dealers?
He felt like they were stealing money from people who were doing bad things, so it was ok.
"It wasn't wrong, he figured--they wouldn't be selling any drugs, just taking money away from kids who did sell the stuff. They would be like the Robin Hoods of their community by taking from those who were poisoning the area."
Define positive peer pressure.
When your friends encourage you to do better or do good things that will help you.
Why did Rameck and his friends get into a fight with the Arlington boys.
There was no reason. They were just bored.
"Nobody asked why.... They didn't need much reason to fight."
What changed Sampson's mind about selling drugs?
He didn't want to ruin his life.
"Getting into the drug game was as easy as buying a ticket for the train or bus. But that was a trip I didn't want to take."
Why did Rameck think it was ok to beat up the crackhead?
He felt like the crackhead was breaking the rules of the street by using drugs in front of young children.
Why did Sampson and his friends decide to steal money from young drug dealers instead of older ones who had more money?
The young dealers were inexperienced and easier to target than adult dealers with guns.
What are two times that Sampson promised himself "never again"?
He said "never again" after stealing ice cream from Jack's and then again after going to juvenile detention for armed robbery.
Explain what happened in the fight with the Arlington boys.
-They started fighting in the street.
-Rameck and his friends tried to escape by jumping on a bus, but the Arlington boys followed.
-When they got off the bus, the Arlington boys chased them and shot at them with guns.
-Rameck and his friends made it inside of another friend's house without getting shot.
Explain what motivated the students to walk out of school.
There were not any African American or Hispanic history classes in the school. African Americans and Hispanics were not represented in their textbooks. Their school books and materials were in bad condition.
When Rameck took the knife out, he was "afraid to use the knife and afraid not to use it." Explain what this means.
He was afraid to use it to hurt someone, but afraid not to use it and look like a chicken in front of his friends.
How did making the pact positively affect George, Sampson, and Rameck?
It helped them to get through school when times were hard, graduate, and get into the program at Seton Hall.
Give 3 examples of George, Sampson, or Rameck being lucky enough to escape the dangers of their neighborhoods and make it through to high school graduation.
-Sampson and his friend got held up at gunpoint at the skate rink, but didn't get shot.
-Sampson chose not to sell drugs at the last minute.
-Sampson was not charged as an adult and got probation.
-Eddie's brother saved Sampson from jail by telling the truth about Eddie tricking Sampson into stealing the vacuum cleaner.
-Rameck was allowed back in school after the silly string incident.
-Rameck was not killed in the drive-by shooting with the Arlington boys.
-The man Rameck beat up never showed up for court, so he was not charged with attempted murder.