Taking Sides Ch 9-13

Why is the break-in significant to the story? (page 94-95)

• It explains how Lincoln's TV gets stolen again.

• It shows that crime can happen anywhere.

• It describes what a bad neighborhood Sycamore is.

• It tells the reader what happened to Lincoln's dad.

What does it mean when Tony sends four dollars to Lincoln? (page 110)

• Tony is still mad at Lincoln, and is paying him so he is no longer 'connected' to him.

• Tony just got paid, so he sent Lincoln the money.

• Tony is helping Lincoln raise money to buy back the TV.

• Lincoln kept bugging Tony about it, so Tony sent the money to shut him up.

What does Lincoln mean when he says, "he was a Franklin boy beneath a Columbus uniform?” (page 127)

• He had planned all along to betray the Columbus team, and moving to Sycamore was an elaborate ruse to trick Coach Yesutis.

• The entire novel was a dream, and didn't really happen.

• He was talking about James, and how he would fit in with his old friends at Franklin.

• Lincoln cannot escape his past; moving to Columbus did not change who he was or where he was from.

When Bukowski confronts Lincoln, why does he say, "You think you're special."? (page 122)

• Lincoln is always getting special treatment from Coach Yesutis, and Bukowski is jealous.

• Lincoln decided he didn't want to play, and refuses to go out on the court with the team.

• He is angry that Lincoln said Columbus was going to lose, and he thinks Lincoln said it because he is injured and they can't win without him.

• Bukowski has a bet going with Tony, and thinks that Lincoln is trying to cheat.

Why does the principal of Columbus say, "Coach - for now." ? (page 130)

• He was upset at the way Coach Yesutis had behaved during the game.

• He knew that Coach Yesutis was going to leave and coach for Franklin after the season was over.

• He felt that Coach Yesutis had cheated and didn't want the school's reputation tarnished.

• He wanted to take over coaching the team himself.

What is the significance of Lincoln saying that Franklin is going to beat Columbus? (page 105)

• It shows that Lincoln is planning on throwing the game.

• It reveals that Lincoln's internal conflict is beginning to get to him.

• It explains Lincoln's ability to predict the outcome of any game.

• It demonstrates Lincoln's bad luck, and how he always thinks things will not turn out well.

Why is Lincoln so irritable in Chapter 10?

• He does not know how to deal with all of the things that are happening: the fight with Tony, the break-in, or the upcoming game.

• His knee hurts, and the pain medicine makes him feel funny; he is not in control of what he is saying.

• He is upset about the fact that Roy went to Franklin because he does not want to like him.

• He is angry that his father has not called, and knows that he won't be at the game tomorrow.

Several times throughout the book, Lincoln mentions the camel driver in his geography book. What is the significance of the camel driver?

• He is different just like Lincoln.

• He is busy working in the desert.

• He is very popular.

• He is an excellent basketball player

What is the climax of the novel?

• The turning point is when Lincoln hurts his knee playing basketball with Monica because he is unable to play in the game against Franklin.

• The turning point is when Lincoln's house is broken into because he now has to find out who the thief is.

• The turning point is the basketball game with Franklin because he finally has to decide whose side he is on.

• The turning point happens after Lincoln apologizes to Tony because it means they are friends again.

What was the main conflict of Taking Sides?

• Protagonist vs. Nature - Lincoln is injured and has to decide if winning is more important than his injury.

• Protagonist vs. Antagonist - Lincoln and James have been enemies for as long as Lincoln could remember, and now they were on the same team.

• Protagonist vs. Self - Lincoln was not sure where he belonged or whose side he should be on.

• Protagonist vs. Society - Lincoln does not fit in at his new school, and everyone teases him for being Mexican.