1. What does James compare his mother’s singing voice to?
2. Who does Ruth say is the “color of water?”
3. Why does James think his mother cries in church?
4. What comparison does McBride make about Reverend Owens and himself, as a young boy, that suggests the Reverend is not genuine?
5. What does Richie confront Reverend Owens about?
6. Why does Mommy (Ruth) “beat Billy’s butt?”
7. How does Richie deal with his confusion about whether he is Black or White?
8 Give two examples that illustrate Tateh “never showed any love” toward Sam.
9. When Sam runs away from home, where does he go and what does he do?
10.What does Mameh ask Ruth to do when she learns Sam has run away?
11.When Ruth calls one of her aunts, after James’ father, Andrew McBride, dies what does she find out?
12.Give two examples that McBride uses to show his mother “could not cook to save her life.”
13.What personal hygiene item does James and his siblings share that illustrates their poverty?
14.McBride describes his house as a “three-ring circus” how did Abe contribute to the chaos?
15.Why is Dennis a role model for his siblings?
16. In what way is Dennis different than Helen?
17.Why does Ruth beat Helen?
18.Why doesn’t Ruth allow cursing in the house?
19.Give some examples which illustrate that Rosetta is queen of the house?
20.Why does Helen run away from home?
21.What does Ruth do when she finds out that Helen ran away to Jack’s house?
22.Why does Rachel change her name to Ruth?
23. What does Frances admire about Ruth?
24. In some sections of Suffolk what are Jews not allowed to do?
25.Why is it ironic that Frances and Ruth play in the graveyard?
26. Give a