Please help! Chapter 1 1. On page 4, Wes talks about the similarities between public schools and prisons. What does he
mean by this? Do you agree or disagree with his position?
2. Re-read pages 6-7 and identify the central idea of these paragraphs. Explain what you learned
about Wes and Nikki's names.
3. Why was it so important to Joy Moore to punish Wes when he hit Nikki? How did his father
react? What do we learn about Joy Moore's history that would make her react to this incident
in such a way?
4. On pages 16-18, Mary Moore receives a letter explaining that her Pell Grant was no longer
available. Talk about how her life may have been different if this letter never came. How did
this news change her goals and her path in life?