AP+Group+5

Aly Haskell & Jessica Salisbury Period 2

Chapter 1:
Level 2s: 1) How does the influence of rap music help Ishmael and his friends stay out of trouble? 2) Why do they pursue rap music and dancing when their father does not approve? Level 3s: 1) If it was not for rap music would the Ishmael, his friends, and his brother learn modern English? 2) Does the significance of his grandfather's importance to the village give the Ishmael something to live up to? 3) Why does the Ishmael's father not want rap music to influence their lives?

Chapter 2:
Level 2s: 1) How does the author use imagery to convey Ishmael's dreams blurring into reality? 2) What does the dead body in the wheelbarrow mean in his dream? Level 3s: 1) If the author did not use imagery, would we, the readers still be able to understand Ishmael's dreamlike reality? 2) Why does Ishmael stop sleeping, in your opinion, is it because he believes that sleep triggers the flashbacks, making him remember his friends? 3) Why do you think that Ishmael still thinks about Sierra Leone considering he has made a better life for himself in New York? Do you think he misses his friends in Sierra Leone?

Chapter 3:
Level 2s: 1) Why did Ishmael, his friends, and his brother Junior stay in Mattru Jong? 2) How do the brands of the rebels mark young boys as criminals? Level 3s: 1) Why do you think the author used the contrasts of peace and war in this chapter, does this show the impending separation of Ishmael from his friends and family? 2) According to Ishmael, the physical presence of the people and their spirit give the town life, do you agree or disagree? Why or Why not? 3) During Junior and Ishmael's escape from the RUF (Revolutionary United Front), why did they believe that stopping meant certain death, would you forget about your friends to save yourself?

**Chapter 4:**

3. After seeing a boy their being shot to death at the end of the chapter, do you think that puts the boys friendship into perspective?
Chapter 5

Level 2: 1. How is friendship displayed in this chapter? 2. What is the importance of the first paragraph in this chapter, and do you thin it foreshadows? Explain.

Level 3: 1. What differences would there be if Ishmael didn't have friendships and what does that say about human nature and connections? 2. Could situations like what Ishmael and his friends had to go through that were forced upon them strengthen or weaken their friendship? 3. How are friendships different for different people? For example, like the rebels who aren't affected by causing harm to others. How do you think they perceive friendships?

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2. Although there isn't a friendship between the community that the boys travel and them do you think that keeping silent about the rebels was the right thing to do, or should they have warned them in an act of friendship their past experiences with the rebels? =====

Level 2s:
1) What are some of the ways Esther strengthens her and Ishmael’s friendship in Chapter 18? 2) How does Uncle Tommy’s gestures create a friendship between him and Ishmael?

Level 3s:
1) Without Esther’s friendship in Chapter 18, do you think that Ishmael would have been so successful in his recovery? 2) Why is Allie’s friendship so benefiting to Ishmael, would he still recover without this friendship? Why or Why Not? 3) Mohammad is re-introduced as a family member of Ishmaels’. Do you think that their friendship is comforting to Ishmael or does it hurt his recovery? Why or Why Not?

Level 2s:
1) What are some of the ways Ishmael says goodbye to his friends at Benin House? 2) How does Ishmael feel about his uncle? Does he acknowledge him as a friend? Why or Why Not?

Level 3s:
1) Why do you think Alhaji just claps him on the shoulder rather than hug Ishmael back? 2) Do you think Ishmael would have stayed with his friends at Benin House rather than move in with his uncle? Use textual evidence to support your reasoning. 3) Allie takes Ishmael to a pub, if you were Ishmael, would you have gone to the pub or stayed home? Use textual evidence to support your reasoning.

Level 2s:
1) What is the importance of acceptance of friendships in Ishmael's life, if even at all, after the war? 2) What do you believe is the most important part of a friendship, and do you see that part that you find important displayed in the friendships that Ishmael has?

Level 3's:
1)When you are alone or in a new place material things can take place of friendships/relationships? For example like what rap music did for Ishmael. Why or why not? 2)Did it surprise you that Ishmael became open to friendships after everything that he went through? Do you think you would be able to accept people if you were in his shoes and had his past? 3)Which friendship do you believe was the most efficient in the recovery of Ishmael? Why?

Level 2s:
1)What does the acceptance of being able to stories, good or bad, past or present, show about the character of Ishmael and his ability to work at friendships? 2)What do you believe is most important about the friendship between Ishmael and Mohamed?

Level 3s:
1)Do you think the last part about the book, about the monkey, could relate to friendships? Why or why not? 2)What does the relationship between his Uncle and Ishmael say about his Uncle being able to look past Ishmael's past and to love him? 3)Do you think this book is made of friendships despite the hardships?