Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Consider the relationship between socioeconomic factors and violence. Why are lower-income communities sometimes more susceptible to violent crime? What are some of the challenges of changing this cycle?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the theme Escaping the Cycle of Poverty & Violence. Studies have found a correlation between violence and socioeconomic factors. Despite her talents, kindness, and optimism, Woods’s protagonist ultimately falls victim to violent crime in her community.

• This American Psychological Association article based on a variety of resources draws connections between socioeconomic impacts and violence.
• The James Madison Institute discusses a variety of informative points on “How To Break ⁠t⁠he Cycle of Pover⁠t⁠y.”

2. Violence between local gangs impacts both gang members and people who live and work in communities where gangs are present. How might the presence of gangs affect young people in these communities, as well as shape their future decisions?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt provides an opportunity to introduce the theme of  The Effects of Gang Violence on Individuals and Communities.