1. Kenny notes that neighbors call his family “the Weird Watsons” in relation to which of the following scenes during the winter in Flint?

A) They huddle together under a blanket.

B) They debate what to do for Byron.

C) They plan a trip to Birmingham.

D) They convince Kenny to read aloud.

2. Byron is considered a “god” at Clark Elementary due to what characteristic?

A) his age

B) his best friend

C) his hair

D) his clothes

3. In which of the following situations does Momma intervene to improve things for Kenny?

A) his performance struggles in Miss Henry’s class

B) his trouble with LJ and the dinosaurs

C) his mistake in treating Rufus unkindly

D) his choice to call Byron “Lipless Wonder”

4. According to Byron, folks from the South tend to freeze in Flint for what reason?

A) They have blood that is too thin.

B) They don’t eat enough warm meals.

C) They are used to more direct sunlight.

D) They work long hours in outdoor jobs.

5. Which of these best describes the character traits implied by Byron’s movie-making activities?

A) Byron is energetic, but somber and moody.

B) Byron is talkative, but can’t clearly communicate.

C) Byron is tired, but eager to share his creations.

D) Byron is imaginative, but reckless and harmful.

6. Of these, which provides the best evidence that Byron feels regret for his actions?

A) He apologizes to Kenny for throwing rotten apples.

B) He helps Joey feel better about her winter layers.

C) He constructs a cross out of tied popsicle sticks.

D) He hides in the bathroom to make a pretend movie.

7. What is the most immediate consequence for Byron when he dyes and straightens his hair?

A) Momma makes him leave the house.

B) Dad cuts his hair and shaves his head.

C) Momma and Dad call Grandma Sands.

D) Kenny and Joey laugh at his ears.

8. How can the reader infer that Byron is not thrilled with the Birmingham trip?

A) He talks at length about Grandma Sands’s strictness.

B) He runs away to Buphead’s house the night before.

C) He swears and refuses to pack or prepare anything.

D) He lies about having a paper route job he wants to take.

9. As they depart from Flint, Kenny is excited about which part of Momma’s plans?

A) motel rooms and hamburgers

B) stopping in the mountains

C) going to the swimming hole

D) seeing Cincinnati and Knoxville

10. How does Kenny know before Momma that Dad wants to drive straight through the night?

A) Dad told Kenny the secret plan but asked him to keep it a secret.

B) Kenny asks Byron why they haven’t stopped and Byron tells him.

C) Dad keeps his own planning notebook, and Kenny finds and reads it.

D) Kenny overhears Dad asking about the car’s capability before the trip.

11. Kenny is most surprised by which one of Grandma Sands’s characteristics?

A) her hair

B) her size

C) her clothes

D) her voice

12. On Kenny’s first full day in Alabama, which of these events occur?

A) Rain falls and he hikes to see Collier’s Landing.

B) A storm arrives and he stays in to help Grandma Sands.

C) The heat won’t quit and he walks to see fishing spots.

D) A good breeze energizes him and he runs to the store.

13. When Kenny gets caught in the whirlpool, who is the person he thinks he sees pointing to the surface?

A) Momma

B) Dad

C) Joey

D) Grandma Sands

14. Which scenario best describes Joey’s lucky departure from the church before the bomb goes off?

A) She thinks she sees someone she knows, but it is a case of mistaken identity.

B) She forgets something at Grandma’s, and she leaves to go back for it without telling.

C) She decides this Sunday school is not like Sunday school at home, and sneaks away.

D) She feels ill from the heat, then loses her way looking for a cool breeze.

15. Why does Kenny feel guilty after the trip to Birmingham?

A) for feeling angry and frustrated with Byron in the car

B) for leaving the church when he thought Joey was there

C) for thinking Grandma was weak just because she is short

D) for going to Collier’s Landing and scaring Momma and Dad