Consider how Woods explores the concept of adulthood in her novel. How does each central character regard or approach adulthood? What overall messages about maturing toward adulthood are conveyed by the events and character reactions in the story? Explain.

Teaching Suggestion: Students might recall their response to the Personal Connection Prompt, then approach this question by comparing their thoughts before reading to the idea of adulthood presented in the novel. Woods explores the theme What It Means to Be Grown Up through teen characters: Eddie, Emako, Jamal, and Savannah take on adult-like responsibilities in their teenage years such as caring for their siblings, focusing on their futures, and taking up extra employment to help their household. Monterey’s parents want to protect her from the outside world; her internal conflict regarding growing up contributes to this theme as well. Students might meet in small groups after initially responding to the prompt to share and compare ideas; they might extend discussion by noting how Emako’s death prompts a coming of age in each narrator and commenting on the ironies involved (e.g., despite their careful attempts, Monterey’s parents are not successful in protecting her from the realities of the world).