Chapter Eighteen

What do you think is the reason Herbert did not pass his test?  And even though he did not pass, Herbert still attended the graduation ceremonies and participated in them -- why?

Chapter Seventeen

Can you solve the math problem (page 143) from Ida's test?

Chapter Seventeen

Ida seems to have done a good job in getting the other kids to care about the test.  What specific examples can you find in this chapter that show that they really do care?

Chapter Sixteen

Please reread the conditions that Mr. Jordan imposed on page 132.  What do they mean?  Do you think they are fair?  Why or why not?

Chapter Fifteen

Please make a prediction: What do you expect to happen when people show up at the school-board meeting that Mr. Jordan believes will be kept secret?  What do you think the results will be?

Chapter Fourteen

Why was Herbert's motivation for finding Ida?  What exactly (in your own words) did he tell her?  Why would he do this?

Chapter Thirteen

Now that Mr. Jordan showed up, what do you think will happen with the school?  How will the kids react?  What about Ida’s and Tom’s dreams of going to high school?

Chapter Twelve

What do you think about the conditions Miss Sedgewick placed upon Ida and her students in exchange for keeping the school a secret?  Are these conditions fair?  Please support your thinking with detailed explanations.

 

Chapter Eleven

Why do you think Ida divulged to Mr. Bixler that she was the school’s teacher?  Do you think this was a wise move?  Why do you think Mr. Bixler was so protective of Herbert?

Chapter Ten

Ida seems to be struggling with figuring out just what her relationship with Tom should be like.  She thinks to herself that “she had become more his teacher and less his friend” and that “It didn’t feel right.”  What do you think Ida should do about this situation?  How do you think Tom feels about it?  Please explain your thinking thoroughly.

Chapter Ten

On page 79, Ida’s father asks her, “How do you wanted to be treated, like a kid or a grown-up?”  Ida has trouble answering, or even knowing the answer to this question.  Why do you suppose this is?  Please explain your thinking.