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OLA Handout and book list at the bottom of the page
 Street Pharm Study Guide
Snitch Study Guide
Pre-reading Questions:
1. a) Based on the cover and the title of the book, predict what it will be about.
b) Now read the blurbs on the back cover. How does this information fit with your prediction?
2. Describe what you think the life of a young gang member would be like. How do you feel about gangs? What factors have influenced your views? How do you think reading this book will affect your views?
Homework Questions:
pp. 3-33
1. What do we learn about Julia and her personality in the first scene?
2. Describe Julia's home life and her relationship with her father.
3. In what ways do gangs affect Julia's daily life? How does Julia deal with the popularity of gangs at her school?
pp. 34-66
4. Analyze Julia's friendship with Black Chuck. Why do you think they are such good friends despite their differences?
5. What are Julia's expectations for the party? In what ways does Eric fulfill (or not fulfill) those expectations?
pp. 67-104
6. Identify at least two new things Julia learns about Eric in these chapters. Why is she so impressed by him?
7. Contrast Q's relationship with her mom with Julia's relationship with her father.
pp. 104-146
8. In the chapters Jumped In and Low, why does Julia feel betrayed by both Eric and Black Chuck?
9. What important decision does Julia make at the Lava Lounge? What would you have done if you were in her place?
10. What do you predict after reading page 129?
11. Why does Julia come to accept Eric as a gang member? How do you feel about her change of heart?
pp. 147-185
12. What happened in the locker room and what is your reaction to it?
13. How does Q react to what happened to Julia? Does this surprise you? In her position, what would you have done?
14. Why does Julia decide to join? What factors were key in influencing her decision?
pp. 186-217
15. Identify several ways in which Julia's life changes after she has joined the Crips.
16. What does Julia learn about the gang's activities? How does she deal with it?
17. What are some ways in which Eric proves himself to the gang in these chapters?
pp. 218-251
18. How does Julia handle Marie's threats?
19. What startling information does Julia discover while researching gangs?
20. Describe Julia's encounter with Scrap. Why doesn't she tell anyone about it?
pp. 252-297
21. What shocking news does Julia receive when she returns from the game?
22. What does Julia think of Black Chuck's accusation that Eric is a snitch?
23. How do the Crips treat Julia at school?
24. Summarize Eric's reasons for doing what he did.
25. How does Julia bargain her way out of being jumped out officially?
Discussion questions or essay topics:
1. The use of first-person narrative allows readers to put themselves in the place of the main character. How well did you identify with Julia throughout this book? Were there times when you found her decisions difficult to relate to? Explain your answer.
2. Discuss the relationship between Julia and either Q, Black Chuck, or Tony DiVino.
3. Examine Julia's relationship with the Crips throughout the novel. How does her view of them evolve over time?
4. Discuss the impact of Julia's family life on her decisions. Do you think she would have made different decisions if her mother had been alive, or if her father had been more attentive?
5. Discuss the character: Q. Did your feelings about her change throughout the book? Explain your answer.
6. Compare the conflicts Julia faces in this book to conflicts that you have faced. How was your situation similar or different to Julia's?
7. At one point, Julia describes her world as Livin' in the Gray (p. 222). What do you think she means by this? In what ways can you relate to this feeling?
8. Analyze Julia's relationships with her teachers in this book, specifically Ms. Ivey.
9. Predict what's in store for Julia in the next year or two of her life. Will she adjust to her new high school environment? Will the Crips leave her alone? Will she and Eric continue their relationship?
10. Analyze the character: Eric. How did you feel about him at the end of the book? Is he a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Explain your answer.
11. How has this book changed or reinforced your views about gangs?
Creative Writing Assignments:
1. Write a deleted scene that might have been in the book.
2. Write an epilogue that could take place one year or more after the book ends.
3. Write a scene from Ms. Ivey's viewpoint. Include her thoughts on Julia and how she believes Julia has changed.
4. Write an alternate final scene.
STREET PHARM STUDY GUIDE
Pre-reading Questions:
1. a) Based on the cover and the title of the book, predict what it will be about.
b) Now read the blurbs on the back cover. How does this information fit with your prediction?
c) Have you read other books that touch on similar topics? How much did you enjoy or dislike those books?
2. Have you, or someone you know, ever done something that was against the law? How did you or your friend justify what you were doing at the time? How do you feel about it now?
3. Describe what you think the life of a teenage drug dealer might be like. How do you feel about people who deal drugs? What factors have influenced your views? How do you think reading this book will affect your views?
Homework Questions:
pp. 1-30
1. What is your initial reaction to the character of Ty Johnson? Do you like or dislike him, and why?
2. How does Ty keep his true activities from his mom?
3. What is Ty's attitude toward school?
4. How does Ty feel about Michael Brown's arrest? What does this say about Ty's character?
5. What do you think is the author's purpose in showing this flashback?
pp. 31-70
1. What do Ty's recollections of his first girlfriend tell us about his views on women?
2. Analyze the interaction between Ty and Dean Baxter. What do we learn about how Ty sees authority figures?
3. Describe Ty's relationship with his father.
pp. 71-106
4. What does Ty learn from the mushrooms incident?
5. Why do you think Ty is so deeply affected by the lesson on Bushido?
6. What does Ty feel he has in common with Jimmy Pennington?
7. How is Alyse different from the girls Ty is used to dating?
pp. 107-146
8. What is Ty's explanation for not wanting to have Kevin King killed? Do you think he has other reasons for not wanting to do it?
9. How does Ty rationalize his involvement in the drug trade? What do you think of this rationale?
pp. 147- 183
10. Why does Ty's mom kick him out, then change her mind and want him to come back?
11. How do you feel about K-Ron pointing the finger at Ty?
12. How is Ty affected by the package from Jones and Menendez?
pp. 184-225
13. What effect does the shooting have on Ty's strategy for dealing with Darkman?
14. Why doesn't Ty go back to school?
15. What happens to Jimmy Pennington and how does Ty make sense of it?
pp. 226-275
16. To what extent does Ty feel responsible for what happened to Rob Monfrey? What responsibility do you think he should feel?
17. Why does Ty decide to go back to school?
pp. 276-302
18. What are Ty's realizations on his walk in the park?
19. Why does Orlando react so strongly to Ty's decision to quit the business? How would you rate Orlando as a father?
20. What do you think of the way Ty has chosen to show Alyse that he has turned his life around?
Discussion questions or essay topics:
1. Ty Johnson's story is told in the first person. Why do you think the author chose to tell it this way? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the first person?
2. Discuss the character: Orlando. How has he influenced Ty's views on life?
3. Why would the author choose someone like Alyse as Ty's love interest?
4. Loyalty plays an important role in this novel. Discuss the place of loyalty in at least three relationships. For example: Ty and Orlando, Ty and Clarissa, Ty and Monfrey, Ty and Michael Brown, Darkman and Crow, etc.
5. The Art of War by Sun Tzu is Ty's bible. What about it appeals to Ty? Do you turn to a certain text, religious or otherwise, for advice on how to lead your life?
6. Consequences play a crucial role in this novel; Ty discovers that no action is without them. Describe a time where you came to understand the meaning of consequences.
7. Discuss the character: Rob Monfrey. How does Ty's interaction with him over the course of the book show the evolution of Ty's character?
8. Discuss Ty's relationship with three teachers and/or school administrators. Can you relate to his interactions with them?
9. Discuss the character: Sonny. How do his best qualities also contribute to his death?
10. Ty believes that his intelligence is enough to keep him from falling victim to the possible downfalls of his line of work. Is this a realistic view, in your eyes?
11. Why do you think Alyse gives Ty another chance? Has she made a wise decision?
12. The ending of Street Pharm has been praised for being hopeful and redemptive, and criticized for being Hollywood and unrealistic. Why do you think the author chose to end Ty's story this way? How do you feel about the ending?
Creative Writing Assignments:
1. Write a deleted scene that might have been in the book.
2. Where do you think Ty will be five years down the line? Write a scene that could be added as an epilogue.
3. Rewrite a scene from the viewpoint of another character.
4. Write an alternate final scene to this novel in which Ty comes to a very different end.
Projects:
1. Individually or in small groups, write a rap song or a spoken word poem about Ty's journey throughout this novel, and present it to the class.
2. Read reviews of STREET PHARM listed on websites like amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Make a list of elements that you think should be in an effective book review. Next write a book review of your own.
3. Create a graph reflecting statistics that relate to this novel: murder rates in various cities, teen pregnancy rates, prison statistics. Write a summary of what can be learned from your graph about social conditions.
4. Create a mini graphic novel or comic depicting the main events of the book.
5. In small groups, adapt a scene into a script and perform it in front of the class.
Hook To Hook Reluctant Teen Readers
Books that work for reluctant readers usually have:
- quick pacing
- short book length, short chapters, large or medium-sized font
- sparse descriptions
- dialogue-driven or easy-to-read diary style
- highly appealing covers
Books that don’t work for reluctant readers:
- are boring!
- are in a style of English they can’t relate to
- are books they haven’t had a part in choosing
What strategies can librarians use to sell teens on reading?
- create displays capitalizing on pop culture; books connected with music, books that have been made into movies (with celebrities on the cover), books connected to TV shows (Dexter, Gossip Girl, 24)
- be careful not to offend them by choosing a “kid’s book”
- partner a book with its audiobook
How can we make this technology work for us?
- create a library Myspace or Facebook account for the library teen section; you can easily update it yourself. On that page you can:
A) post a book of the month, showcasing the cover, description, and book trailer (if one is available).
B) add widgets (such as a countdown widget) to build anticipation for new books coming into the library.
C) use the page for book discussions and reviews, like an online book club.
D) link the page to your online catalogue.
E) list upcoming library events.
An example on Myspace: www.myspace.com/jacksonvillepubliclibrary
- If you’d prefer not to use Myspace or Facebook, you could create a library wikipedia page.
How can we involve authors in this?
- facilitate a personal connection between authors and teens; set up an author visit or webcam visit, encourage the teen to email the author, or have the author do an interview on the library’s Myspace or Facebook page
Use controversy
- create a display for banned books
- discuss with the teens why the book has been banned and ask for their opinion, or ask them to figure out why it’s been banned
Your Top Picks for Reluctant Teen Readers
Four or more mentions:
Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Go ask
Alice by Anonymous
Cirque Du Freak series by Darren Shan
Naruto series (graphic novels) by Masashi Kishimoto
Acceleration by Graham McNamee
Three mentions:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Born to Rock by Gordon Korman
Bone series (graphic novels) by Jeff Smith
Ellen Hopkins’ books
Guinness Book of World Records
First Stone by Don Aker
Street Pharm, Snitch by Allison van Diepen
Two mentions:
Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld
Gravity Journal by Gail Sidonie Sobat
Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughn (graphic novel)
Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini
Dancing Naked by Shelley Hrdlitschka
Safe as Houses by Eric Walters
City of
Ember Series by Jeanne Duprau
Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar
The Circle series (graphic novels) by Ted Dekker
Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
Cherub series by Robert Muchamore
Maximum Ride series by James Patterson
Looking for
Alaska by John Green
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by
Sherman Alexie
Raiders Night by Robert Lipsyte
One mention:
Theories of Relativity by Barbara Haworth-Attard
Juice, Stars, and We All Fall Down by Eric Walters
Vampire Diaries series by LJ Smith
Mohammed Ali, Fallen Angel and Monster by Walter Dean Myers
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
Book of Michael by Lesley Choyce
Batman: The Dark Knight by Frank Miller
Airhead by Meg Cabot
Confessions of a Reluctant (But Extremely Good Looking) Hero by Maureen Foster
King of the Lost and Found by John Lekich
Just in Case by Meg Rosoff
Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos
Ball Don’t Lie by Matt de la Pena
Sun Signs by Shelley Hrdlitschka
Maus by Art Spiegelman
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen
Mercy on These Teenage Chimps by Gary Soto
Just Some Stuff I Wrote by William Bell
Awakening by
L.A. Banks
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Wanted by Caroline B. Cooney
The Watsons Go to
Birmingham - 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul by Jack Canfield
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Scrapped Princess series (graphic novels)
Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks
Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree
Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
Sticks and Stones by Beth Goobie
Charmed by Carrie Mac
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
A Foreign Field by Gillian Chan
Crabbe by William Bell
Dreamspeaker by
Cam Hubert
More Than You Can Chew by Marnelle Tokio
Dragonball series by Stacia Deutsch
Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside by Holly Black
One Piece series (graphic novels)
Quid Pro Quo by Vicki Grant
Ironman by Chris Crutcher
Blood Brothers by Marilyn Halvorson
Zee’s Way by Kristin Butcher
Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger
Real, Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue (graphic novels)
Bleach series (graphic novels)
Nana series by Ai Yazawa (graphic novels)
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
Resurrection Blues by Mike Tanner
300 by Frank Miller (graphic novel)
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
A Streetcar named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Rx by Tracey Lynne
The Blue Helmet by William Bell
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Mediator series by Meg Cabot
Tripping, Fighting the Current by Heather Waldorf
Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Zombies Calling! by Faith Erin Hicks (graphic novel)
Burnout by Rebecca Donner (graphic novel)
Battle of the Bands by K.L. Denman
Silver Kiss, Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning
Bifocal by Deborah Ellis and Eric Walters
Spud by John van de Ruit
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
Bluford High series by Anne Schraff
Hatchet series by Gary Paulsen
Last Sam’s Cage by David Poulsen
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
An Abundance of Katherines,
Paper
Towns by John Green
Sabriel series by Garth Nix
Blue Bloods series, Angels on Sunset Boulevard by Melissa de la Cruz
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Lisa by Carol Matas
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Notes From the
Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Stoner and Spaz by Ron Koertge
Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg
Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers
Leslie’s Journal by Allan Stratton
Boldprint series
Shojo manga series
Skud by Dennis Foon
Vampire
Academy series by Richelle Mead
Hunted series by Walter Sorrells
Split Image (novel in poems)
You Hear Me (poems by boys)
In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Culleton
Invitation by Cyndy Baskin
Fables series (graphic novels)
Y: The Last Man series by Brian K. Vaughn (graphic novels)
Authors mentioned without book titles: Eric Jerome Dickey, Lurlene McDaniel, Jennifer Crusie, Don Trembath
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