Discussion+Director

Your job is to post 6 questions to your group members. Each member of your group will need to answer those questions before that week's due date. See question help sheet if you are struggling to come up with meaty questions. Each group member has to answer all of the questions. YOU, as the discussion director, will also need to answer all of your questions. Group members can post additional information to other **questions after they have answered a question on their own.** These are the directions, do not delete them!

=__**Week 1**__= Why do you think Randy wants Jamal to see Mack? (Zachary I honestly haven't got a clue as to why Randy wants Jamal to see Mack, but it probably has something to do with the gang called Scorpions.  ~Libby

THe reason that i think that randy wants jamal to see mack is so jamal can support the family by selling the drugs. (Zach) How did Randy get thrown into jail? Why do you think that? (Zachary) I think Randy was probably caught drug trafficking or something to do with drugs because he is friends with Mack who hangs out in a crack house. ~Libby Same here but he was caught in an alley and he was smoking it to. (Zach) Why do you think Tito borrows Jamal's clothes? (Zachary) Well, in the book, Tito said "That's what brothers do," after borrowing Jamal's clothes. And for the most part, I think they borrow each others clothes just because they can and the two boys are the same size. ~Libby I think tito borrows jamals clothes because they wish that they lived together like real brothers. (Zach) Why do you think Jamals mom works multiple jobs? (Zachary) I think Jamal's mom works multiple jobs because Jamal doesn't have a father in the picture at the moment. And when there is only one parent supporting two kids, working multiple jobs is kind of necessary in order to have a roof over their heads and food on the table. ~ Libby I agree if you cant support your family with one job you should get the 2nd job so you can get the things necesssary to live on earth like a house and food and clothing. (Zach) Why do you think Dwayne picks on Jamal? (Zachary) I think he does it just to feel bigger and better than someone else. Jamal even said that Dwayne made him feel small inside. ~Libby I think that he picks on jamal because he is bigger and maybe he gets picked on and he is taking his anger out. (Zach) Can you think of a better solution to getting Randy out of jail? (Zachary) I really don't have much experience in getting people out of jail, but I guess he could get out on bond or parole although that doesn't seem likely. Because Randy isn't particularly wealthy getting out on bond isn't possible. And due to the fact Randy got 15-20 years in prison, getting out on parole won't happen. So no, I can't think of a better way to get Randy out of jail. ~Libby

I think Randy wants Jamal to see Mack to help Randy to get out of jail and Mack need to say something important to Jamal about something. Might find way to get some money from Mack to help out Jamal's older brother. Megan

I can't think of a solution to getting Randy out of jail because he did what he did and their is no way in fixing what he did so he should just stay in jail. (Zach)

=__** Week 2 **__= How would you have handled Dwayne and him wanting to fight?

I would find someone to stop the chaos of them fighting each other and if you don't handle it right you or I may get in the middle of it and might turn out guly.Or tell someone to grab hold of Jamal and Randy to drag them away from each other move couple yards away so they won't go after each other. Then talk to Jamal one on one to find out why they want to beat each other up so much and ask same question to Dwayne and find a way to fix the probelm and no one doesn't get hurt and back to the peaceful atmosphere. (Megan)

I would go and get a teacher and have them break up the fight and then I would ask them what was going on and see both sides of the storys and then ask their friends and see what story is ture. ~Sabrina

I would do the same thing to Sabrina and there are many ways to handle the fighting in a good way. Megan

I would also go get teacher Sabrina then if that doesn't work I would break it up myself.(Zachary)

I would go to the principal and tell him about about the fight. Then if I were the principal i would have the kids talk to me and the guidance counselor if needed. Then they probaly would have gotten a suspension from me. (Zach)

I think the best way to handle a fight like this is to break them up and get to the root of the problem so it wouldn't happen again. I would also notify the principle. ~ Libby

Would you join the scorpions? No. No matter how bad my life gets I would never join a gang because joining a gang would ultimately make the problem worse. Instead of just not having enough money for something, by being in a gang you would also have the issue of doing illegal activities and being wanted by police. I don't know about you, but I don't really want to go to jail, much less prison! ~Libby

If my life is bad i still won't join a gang because when you join gang get in deep trouble by selling things are not suppose to sale to people. Its to risk sometimes to do things you don't want to do and people force you to do it. Being in a gang can cause trouble by the police and get sent to jail for long time so i choose something else then a gang. Megan

No, i don't want to get sent to jail it is a very sad place you can't have any fun in jail. (Zach) Do you think that he made the right choice on the topic of the fight? Well, 99% of the time fighting is not the "right choice" and the topic of the fight was really rather dumb, Dwayne and Jamal got in a fight over a wrinkled shirt. Honestly, that's kinda sad. ~Libby Sometimes you got to do what you got to but in a fight but sometimes fighting isn't the right answer though with something dumb about a torn shirt or wrinkled shirt its not worth a fight. Megan No because it was so stupid to fight over a wrinkled shirt. (Zach) Do you think that he treats his sister fairly? Brothers and sisters will fight, but I think Jamal is meaner than the average brother. Jamal is always insulting his sister and putting her down. ~Libby I agree sometimes brother and sister fight and i sometimes me and my brother to do though but won't act like Jamal. Megan I agree brothers and sister fight and me and my sisters do a lot but i do not act like Jamal. (Zach) What do you think Mack is like? I think Mack is a kid with too much power, then again that is just my assumption of him because the book has yet to //really// introduce him. ~Libby

Mack is kid that likes to be the boss of power and trys to help out his friends in somewhat demanding way kinda thats what i think. You are right Libby the book is yet ready or really to introduce him. Megan. I think that Mack is a kid that does anything that he wants to do but we don't know that much about him like Libby said. (Zach)

=__** WEEK 3 **__= What would you do if you were Jamal and had to fight Dwayne? I would try to kick the crap out of him. Zach I would win. Kyle I would kick him where it hurts.(Zachary) I would beat the heck at of Dwayne. Megan Do you think you are Scorpion material? Why or why not? I am not scorpion material because I wouldn't do what they do I know better and I don't want to chance going to jail it doesn't sound fun. Zach I think that I am but i don't know if i would join. Kyle No I am not scorpion material because I would not do what they do.(Zachary) I dont think so that am scorpion material and I don't want to go to jail its not a fun idea .Megan Do you think Jamal should have accepted the gun? I don't think he should have because his friend was not exsited about him having it and having to take it to the room.~Sabrina Yes only if he knew the person if he didn't the answer would be no.Zach I don't think that he should of because he could get in a lot of truble. Kyle No because it could get him in trouble.(Zachary) Jamal shouldn't have accepted the gun because it is causing him big trouble right now. Megan Do you think Jamal will use the gun? Jamal doesn'tseem like he would use a gun he's not his brother. Zach Only if he has to. Kyle If abslotely necassary.(Zachary) Its his choice he i'll use it for something important or use it for self defense. Megan Do you think it is a good thing that Jamal's dad is suddenly back in the picture? No its not a good thing that jamals dad is coming back into the pricture because what if the same thing happens. (Zach) Jamal dad shouldn't come back to the picture because the way he acts to Jamal and hardly home to help Jamal's Mom.And leave them again who knows how many times. Megan What would you do if your best friend joined a gang?

Well if she joins the gang and she is happy with it I be by her side to make sure shes doing alright in her gang. Megan Tell him if he doesn't get out of the gang we wouldn't be friends anymore if he says no i would just walk away and try not to see him again. (Zach) =**__ WEEK 4 __**= I think Jamal would be suspended and go somewhere for help and his mom would be mad and upset that he is involed with the Scorpions. Megan I think Tito was surpraise when Jamal told him that he almost kill somebody. I guess Tito was thinking that his friend almost went to far with the gun. If I was in that kind of event I would tell my friend to give me the gun and I would go to the woods and unload the gun. Put it in a wooded chest and find the deepest end of the bank and push it in the water let it sink to the depths of the river. Find some profession help for my friend and help support them. Megan
 * When Jamal said that maybe he should run away, what did you think he would do befor the book told us? **
 * I didn't think he would actually run away, he doesn't seem like the type to run like that. **
 * ~Libby **
 * Did you think that Jamal should have showed Dwayne the gun and why? **
 * Defininitely not, Jamal caused so many more problems for himself by doing that. **
 * ~Libby **
 * What did you think was going to happen after everybody knew about the gun? **
 * I think that the worst possible thing to happen would be if Jamal got suspended and his mom found out about his involvment with the Scorpions. **
 * ~Libby **
 * What did you think Tito was thinking whan Jamal said that he almost killed Dwayne? **
 * I think Tito was just kind of in shock mostly. If my best friend were to almost kill somebody over a wrinkled shirt, I would try to talk to them first and then I would get some sort of professional help because there isn't all that much I could do beyond moral support. **
 * ~Libby **

~Sabrina
 * What were you thinking when Jamal asked about his mom driving and the whole car deal? **
 * Every kid has their dreams, I think Jamal was just thinking about how he could try to assume the role of the man in the family and provide for his family. **
 * ~Libby **

I think Jamal show the gun to Dwayne to scare the living out of him and to back off from being beat up that what i think. Megan

Week 5

Why do you think Jamals brother randy was stabbed in jail? Why? (Zach)

I guess when Randy was in jail he saw jail mates fighting each other and he got up to stop the fighting before someone gets hurt. While he was shoving the guy to move along from the other person. The person pick up a knife and stab Randy from behind without Randy knowing. I think that how Randy got stab in jail. Megan

I think that sometimes inmates just don't get along and I guess Randy and his fellow inmate just really didn't get along...

Do you think the stab could kill randy if so explain how it would kill him? (Zach) Anything could kill you if it gets infected..... Especially if it's from a shoddy prison shank and you don't get immediate medical attention. ~Libby

Do you think Sassy is going to tell Jamals mother about the gun? (Zach) I don't think so Sassy is going to tell Jamal's mother about the gun because if she did told her that Jamal has it. It would hurt Jamal mom feelings and worst will come back again. Megan

No, I don't think she will. Just because Jamal said that if she did, their mother would be upset and I think Sassy doesn't like to see her mother upset. ~Libby

Where do you think Jamal is going to go with the gun? (Zach) Maybe go bury it somewhere that no one would ever find it or give the gun back to Mack. Megan

Well, didn't he say he was going to hide it and just use it to scare people when he had to? ~Libby

Why do you think Sassy has her hands over her face? (Zach) I think she was just imitating her mother's reaction to the prayers. ~Libby She wants to act like her mother by doing same reactions like praying the way her mother prays. Megan

What do you think happened at the fire house? (Zach) I don't get what you mean by this question, I don't remember the book saying anything about something happening at the fire house. ~Libby

What do you think made the person stabbed Randy The book didn't say or describe what happened at the prison, or who even did it it basically just said that he was stabbed and left it at that. ~Libby

What do you think that Randy is going to do to the guy that stabbed him I don't think he can do much at the moment because he is incapacitated due to the stab wound, but I think that if he could do something to the guy, he would. Then again, you can't really get revenge too well in prison with all eyes on you at all times so I believe that Randy will wait until he is out of prison (or should I say if he does get out of prison) then he would probably get someone on the inside to beat him up. ~Libby

What do you think happend to Sassy that made her put her hands over her face I think she was just imitating her mom and Zach already did this question. ~Libby What do you think Jamal is going to do with the gun It really sounded to me like he's going to get rid of it, then again, I never know what Jamal is going to do... ~Libby If Sassy tells Jamals mom what do you think she will do I think Jamal's mom would try to get him back on track, like she wants to do with Randy by putting him through college. Do you think Jamal is going to kill someone I don't think Jamal seems like the kind of guy to kill someone, he just wants to provide for his family, not be a real hardcore gang member. ~Libby **I know he wants to help, but I don't think he is old enough to get a real job that pays the amount he needs for Randy's appeal.** **~Libby** I don't really know because he doesnt want to be envolved in the scorpions gang. Zach I think he will help in any way posible. Kyle **It's anybody's guess! Two gang members that are most likely not thinking clearly who also have weapons, against Jamal who is way younger with only Tito to back him up, if they both don't chicken out.** **~Libby** I agere with Libby, that its anyones guess. Kyle I think he was scared of getting in trouble. Zach Well, he killed a man. If you're not crying and shaking after that, you are obviously heartless. ~Libby Because he shot 2 people. Kyle I agree with the fact that the Scorpions probably won't leave Jamal alone because gangs tend not to let things go that easy. I don't care what Mack says, what Jamal did (quit the scorpions) is not just going to slide by unnoticed. Because there is no sequel, we will never actually know what happens in Jamal's future, but I'm guessing that the Scorpions are in it in one way, shape or form. ~Libby I think that if they get Randy out of jail, no one would mess with Jamal. Kyle He had to defend Jamal and that meant shooting someone and I think that would make anyone with a conscience feel guilty. ~Libby I liked it when Tito had the cab go back so he could get the picture from Jamal. All in all, the ending was bittersweet, like the rest of the book. ~Libby
 * WEEK 6**
 * Do you think Jamal will help his Mom to get money for Randy ?**
 * What's going to happen when Jamal meets Indian and Angel at the park?**
 * Why Is Tito crying and shaking so hard after he help Jamal?**
 * Will Jamal get rid of the gun and will Angel and Indian leave Jamal alone after they had met at the park?**
 * I think jamal give the gun to angel and indian and they will not leave jamal alone since they said he can't quit being in the scorpions. **
 * What did Tito do to make himself feel quilty at the park ?**
 * What did you like at the end of the book?**