| A | B |
|---|
| Why does Joel sometimes wonder why he and Tony stay friends? | Tony often didn't feel like doing anything Joel wanted to do |
| What does Joel's dad mean when he says to Joel, "You're on your honor?" | Joel's dad trusted him to do what he said he was going to do |
| How does Joel feel when his father ggives him permission to ride his bike to the park? | Joel felt betrayed and trapped |
| What is better about Tony's old hand-me-down bike than Joel's silver ten-speed? | It was perfect for doing wheelies and going off the ramps |
| Why aren't people allowed to swim in the Vermillion? | The Vermillion is dangerous. It has sink holes, currents and whirlpools |
| Why doesn't Joel leave Tony's bike out in the open where anybody could steal it? | Tony might never get another one |
| Why doesn't Joel want Tony to leave the river and go to Starved Rock? | Joel didn't want to go and he didn't want Tony climbing the bluffs by himself |
| What does Joel challenge Tony to do? | Joel challenged Tony to swim out to the sandbar |
| What kind of swimmer is Tony? | Tony was a poor swimmer. When Joel looked at him, he noticed Tony was splashing, puffing and spitting water. |
| How did Tony once break his arm? | Tony once jumped out of his upstairs window with a sheet tied to his waist and ankles. He said he was an expert at hang gliding |
| When does Joel finally realize that Tony can't swim and has gone under? | When Joel stepped off into the nothingness of the deep water and it felt as though the river bottom was not there, he knew that Tony had gone under |
| What makes Joel think that he might die, too? | His lungs hurt and he couldn't breathe. |
| Why doesn't Joel go back into the river to help the boy look for Tony? | The memory of what almost happened to him when the current held him down caused him to be too scared to move |
| Why do you think that Joel says they are looking for Tony and not a body? | Joel doesn't want to face the reality that Tony is dead |
| What does Joel imagine Mr. Zabrinsky doing when he discovers what has happened? | He imagines Mr. Zabrinksy coming to get him, maybe with his leather belt |
| Why does Joel start to ride his bike all the way to Starved Rock State Park after Tony has drowned? | He was afraid to go home |
| Describe Joel's reaction when he looks at the river and realizes Tony is dead? | Joel couldn't breathe. Air was trapped in his chest in a painful lump. He lifted his hands up, then held himself and swayed. |
| Why does Joel call his brother, Bobby, a snoop? | Bobby had told Mrs. Zabrinsky that the boys had spent the after noon in the house |
| What lie does Joel tell when his father asked him where Tony is? | He said that Tony went to Starved Rock alone |
| Why were Joel and Tony pooling their allowances? | They were planning on buying a worm farm |
| What is Joel going to teach Bobby how to do? | Joel was going to teach Bobby how to swim |
| How does Joel feel when he sees his parents talking to Mr. and Mrs. Zabrinsky? | Joel was scared and worried |
| What was the plan for getting rich that Joel and Tony had once concocted? | They once planned to sell flattened pennies; they also planned ot buy a worm farm |
| What does Mrs. Zabrinsky tell Joel that Tony was afraid to do? | Tony was afraid to swim |
| Is it easier to remember something you told that was true or something that was a lie? | It's easier to remember the truth |
| Why doesn't Joel get back into the shower when he doesn't smell clean? | He knew it wouldn't help any |
| How does Joel hold his tongue while his mother talks to him? | He held his tongue tightly between his teeth |
| What reason does Joel have for not telling his mother the truth about what had happened? | He didn't want to have to tell the Zabrinskys, the police and his father |
| What did the police officers find? | They found Tony's clothes and his bike |
| Joel said to his father, "I hate you!" does he really mean it? | Joel was expressing his anger over what happened |
| What is Joel's father sorry about? | He was sorry he had given Joel permission to go. He misjudged the situation |
| Tell what Joel can't make disappear? | Joel couldn't make the smell of the river go away; it was etched in his memory |
| Whom did Joel mostly blame for the events that occurred? | himself |
| Why did Joel agree to go swimming in the river? | He didn't want Tony to think he was chicken |
