60 pages • 2-hour read
Small Steps
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Essay Topics
Armpit and Ginny are close friends. Why does this relationship confuse some people and is their confusion justified?
Armpit knows that X-Ray is unreliable, so why does he decide to join X-Ray’s get-rich-quick scheme? What about the scheme appeals to him?
In what ways did Armpit and X-Ray’s time at Camp Green Lake prepare them and/or fail to prepare them for life after their release?
What is Armpit’s main motivation for staying out of trouble and turning his life around? What actions does he take to achieve his goals?
How do Kaira’s song lyrics relate to and evolve with the narrative? How does her message change in her final song?
Overt and covert racism is addressed multiple times in the book. Discuss the difference between the two types of racism, giving examples of each from the book.
Names play an important role in Small Steps. Why are names important? Choose three names/nicknames and discuss their significance to the characters.
Why does Armpit want to lose his nickname? How will losing it make a difference to his future?
Who are the main adults in Kaira’s life? How have they each affected her adolescent years?
Armpit has set himself five goals that he is determined to achieve. Name five goals that you have and discuss why they are important to you.
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