In the following excerpt, what does tolerate mean?

“Roylin thought he had no real friends at school. Guys like Hakeem tolerated him politely, probably felt sorry for him.”

In the following excerpt, what does shallow mean?

“Cooper moved closer to Tuttle, and the little man lost his balance, tumbling into the shallow grave.”

In the following excerpt, what does designated mean?

“Mr. Miller had no guests except for the lawyer his daughter designated to handle his affairs.”

In the following excerpt, what does sinister mean?

"A shame to let the grave go to waste," Cooper said in his most sinister voice.

In the following excerpt, what does intimidated mean?

"On the football field, Cooper intimidated Bluford's opponents by just looking at them."

In the following excerpt, what does predictable mean?

"Tuttle was very predictable. He always came home at the same time."

In the following excerpt, what does scuffle mean?

"The boys scuffled in the darkness of the parking lot."

In the following excerpt, what does linoleum mean?

“Cottonwood Court was clean and pleasant, with warm ivory walls and linoleum.”

In the following excerpt, what does craggy mean?

“Tears rolled down Mr. Miller's craggy face.”

Supporting Details

The following words were said by

“I don’t know why I’m here. I was paying my rent. What did they bring me here for? It’s like I done something wrong. I didn’t do nothing wrong.”

The following words were said by

“I got an uncle who’s a cop. He’s a good guy. He knows when somebody’s worth saving.”

The following words were said by

“It was just a little joke. Nobody got hurt. It was time for the demented old man to be sent away anyway, so I just hurried it up a little.”

The following words were said by

“I feel like a ton of bricks just fell off my chest. I feel like I was the one just crawled out of a grave. I don’t ever want to feel like that again.”

Main Idea

What is the central point of the following selection?

“Anytime anything on your mind, you can tell me about it.” Cooper had said that, but had he meant it? Were those just empty words he threw at Roylin the way you’d throw a dog a bone? Were they empty words like those Korie used when she told Roylin she loved and adored him? If Roylin actually got in touch with Cooper, would Cooper think, “Oh man, don’t tell me a loser is gonna latch onto me now! Why’d I tell him I gave a rat’s behind about him? How am I gonna get rid of him now?” Roylin thought that was probably so, but he was not sure. Cooper Hodden was his last hope.

What is the central point of the following selection?

When Roylin finally returned to his apartment, his mother was fixing dinner, and Amberlynn was cutting up vegetables. “You want me to help with anything?” Roylin asked.

Roylin’s mother looked at Amberlynn and then at Roylin. “You got a fever, boy?” his mother asked.

Roylin smiled. He remembered the words to an old hymn he heard in church. He could not remember the words exactly, but he recalled enough to say, “Mom, I was dead and now I’m alive…I was blind and now I see.”

What is the central point of the following selection?

“Did Jenny come by? I didn’t see her. Why don’t she come, Roylin? She don’t care if I live or die, and I’m her father. I’m her father, boy.” Tears rolled down Mr. Miller’s face. “My God, a girl should give a care for her own father.”

Characters

Who is the apartment manager who tried to make Roylin think he killed Mr. Miller?

Who dated Korie; fought with Roylin, but now they’re cool?

Who is Roylin’s true friend; came to help Roylin in the middle of the night?

He’s not dead! He was sent to Cottonwood Court nursing home.

Who realized he didn’t kill Mr. Miller; got his best friend back – happier now?

Who dated 2 guys; really likes gifts; likes when people do things for her; wants Roylin back?

What was buried in the basement of the apartment building?

Who buried something in the basement?