Characters
What syndrome does Needles suffer from?
Tourette's Syndrome
What color yarn does Doris give Needles?
Purple
"...and we couldn't be the only three lames in there looking like we still played with blocks." (72)
They couldn't be the only ones showing up looking lame/childish
Cause: Jazz makes a scrapbook of their family (Ch. 1)
Effect: Doris starts to get emotional from seeing their family whole again
"she said in her usual gruff tone" (6)
Gruff: rough
How did Noodles get his nickname?
Jazz saw him kissing a girl and it looked like he was slurping noodles
Why do Ali, Needles, and Noodles want to go to MoMo's party?
They want to see what it's like/they want to seem cool.
"I swear it feels like her words come down heavy and hard, beating on us just as bad as a leather strap." (3)
Doris' words hurt just as much as a leather strap
Cause: Tasha tells the trio that she works the door for MoMo's parties (Ch. 4)
Effect: Ali and Noodles want her to let them in the party
"Noodles had a big mouth, but he couldn't take on those old heads. They would've mopped him quick." (32)
Mopped: beat him up
What are three traits that describe Doris?
Potential answers: hardworking, caring, mother, strict, etc.
What event causes Ali to start to rethink his friendship with Noodles?
Noodles refuses to pay Black for his haircut even though it was good.
"Plus, he's known for busting a head or two if your lip gets too loose on him." (30)
Brother will beat you up if you say the wrong thing
Cause: Needles was used to staying behind when Ali and Noodles left (Ch. 5)
Effect: He doesn't follow them when they leave to get haircuts
"'Yes,' I replied reluctantly." (41)
Reluctantly: hesitantly, warily
Explain why Malloy agrees to teach Ali to box.
He knows that Ali will use the boxing skills for good because he saw him hug the punching bag.
Name three major events in the book so far.
Potential answers: Needles learning how to knit, Ali meeting Noodles, Noodles stealing from the yarn store, Ali questioning his friendship with Noodles, Tasha inviting them to the party
"Noodles would flip his lid." (31)
Noodles would get really mad
Cause: Malloy was in the Vietnam War (Ch. 3)
Effect: He drinks and cries
"I mean, it's not like we're girls or nothin', primping in front of the mirrors for hours," (72)
Primping: spending time fixing your appearance (hair, makeup, etc.)
Use text evidence to explain why Ali's father isn't a bad guy. (Hint: use pgs. 43-45)
Open-ended question
Explain why Tasha talking to the trio changes the storyline. (Hint: what does their conversation result in?)
Tasha gives them the idea to go to MoMo's party.
"She said she'd slap my eyes off if she caught me." (47)
Doris would slap Ali really hard
Cause: Noodles tries to steal the yarn (Ch. 2)
Effect: Ali pays for him
"An exclusive night at Chateau MoMo." (75)
Chateau: a large castle, nice place