2. What is the common thread in the kids' background that seems to stifle true joy of life?
(a) They have always been poor and looked down upon.
(b) Hardships and loneliness are constant facts of their daily existence.
(c) Their comfortable former life in Massachusetts can never be recaptured.
(d) Serious physical and mental illness is hereditary in the family.

3. What does James say about fitting in at the new school?
(a) Teachers and principals make it easy for new comers to fit in.
(b) New comers never quite fit in at middle school and high school.
(c) James cares about fitting in, Dicey does not care.
(d) Dicey cares about fitting in, James does not care.

4. As Dicey lies on the dock staring at stars, what does she conclude is making her edgy?
(a) Maybeth is a weakling personality who will require constant assistance.
(b) She is incapable of planning the family's future.
(c) She realizes her teenage and young adult years ahead are very bleak.
(d) She is carrying around sorrow about possibly losing Momma forever.

5. While doing homework together, what does Dicey learn is troubling James about his classmates?
(a) His class mates are lazy underachievers with no direction.
(b) His classmates are all smarter than James.
(c) His classmates are smart, but not like him; he does not fit in.
(d) His classmates are socially mean and overbearing toward James.

6. What does James express to Dicey that he finds odd about Gram?
(a) Gram tells too many quick stories about her kids.
(b) Gram does not display pictures of her children or ever talk about the past.
(c) Gram seems distracted by events in long years passed.
(d) Gram has unexplainable dark moods that come and go suddenly.

7. What is James' first reaction to Maybeth's plight?
(a) He is irritated at Gram for allowing Maybeth to slack.
(b) He is angry at himself for not realizing how Maybeth's struggles are affecting her.
(c) He is irritated that Maybeth is not emotionally stronger.
(d) He is pleased with himself that he is not as slow as Maybeth.

8. What is Dicey's reaction to the fact she might not need to meet with the teacher?
(a) She thinks the school people are too intrusive.
(b) She resents the lawyer's presence in their lives.
(c) She is angry at Gram.
(d) She is happy to not have the responsibility.

9. What does the nun at day camp recommend concerning Maybeth's learning progress?
(a) She recommends Maybeth spend more time among other girls.
(b) She recommends Maybeth attend the local Catholic grade school.
(c) She recommends Maybeth spend more time around adults.
(d) She recommends Maybeth attend a school for the retarded.

10. What comment by James causes Dicey to understand why James is brooding?
(a) James says all yesterdays are better than the present days.
(b) James says people are always mean-spirited no matter what.
(c) James says life is too much about luck, not about substance.
(d) James says some people are always outsiders, wherever they are.

11. What is Dicey thinking about as she lies relaxing under the tree?
(a) Thanksgiving.
(b) Christmas.
(c) High school.
(d) The long previous summer of travel.

12. What is Dicey's assessment of her new school and classes?
(a) School day is long, slow, and boring
(b) School day is a series of posturing, posing, and pretending.
(c) School day is a whirl of thinking and doing.
(d) School is a fun filled, safe haven from the real world.

13. As they discuss school, what trait about James does Dicey remind herself ?
(a) James has a mean nasty streak inside himself.
(b) James thinks about things too much.
(c) James is a kind and sensitive person.
(d) James is a lonesome disturbed person.

14. What is Mr. Lingerle's mood after staying with the kids all day Saturday?
(a) He is disappointed with Maybeth.
(b) He is tired and hurries to take his leave.
(c) He is irritated with James and angry with Sammy.
(d) He stays for dinner and relaxes with the family after dinner.

15. What do the young children do on Halloween when Gram and Dicey are not home?
(a) They eat the Halloween candy Gram had set aside as a surprise.
(b) They go into the attic without permission.
(c) They start a small fire in the marsh grass.
(d) They use Gram's old clothes for Halloween costumes.