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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which event does Bernard compete?

2. With which of the following does Chapter 10: "Caterpillars" begin?

3. With which of the following does Chapter 6: "Tuna & Metal" begin?

4. Which of the following can be found in the vending machines at Shayla’s school?

5. How many elementary schools send students to Emerson Junior High?

Short Essay Questions

1. What hope does Mr. Powell voice for his students?

2. How does Shayla define talking?

3. When Alex is Commanded at lunch, what does he do?

4. Why does Shayla’s mother agree to host the sleepover despite the girls’ behavior?

5. What does Shayla cite as the origin of her friendship with Isabella and Julia?

6. How are “‘old school’ parties” defined in the novel (141-42)?

7. What remarks does Principal Trask have about Shayla’s Halloween costume?

8. What advice does Hana offer Shayla about Jace?

9. Why does Shayla note liking lockers?

10. Why does Shayla ask to borrow Isabella’s top?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrative remarks on several attempts by the protagonist to go into sport, and other sports than those mentioned are generally available to middle school students. Thus, there is significance to the protagonist going into track. How might the novel change had the protagonist gone into a different athletic activity, such as softball or cheerleading, and why would it change in such ways?

Essay Topic 2

At the beginning of Chapter 5, Shayla muses on enjoying lockers in part because they facilitate her “pretending [she is] an international jewel thief” (24). Why might such a “good-girl” character enjoy such pretense? What in the novel and in experience suggest as much, and how do they do so?

Essay Topic 3

What significance accrues to the relative lack of depictions of fatherhood in the novel? How does that significance emerge?

(see the answer keys)

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