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. What factors might motivate criminal behavior? How might decisions and choices lead to criminal activity? What is the role of guilt or remorse in criminal behavior?

Teaching Suggestion: Jack Gantos begins to romanticize criminal behavior and is motivated by his desire to become a great writer. His obsession with experiences leads him to become a drug smuggler who is later caught and incarcerated. Gantos makes the assertion he does not feel guilty for committing the crime but is concerned about being caught. Consider discussing various motivations for crimes and small choices that lead to criminal activity. Then consider analyzing the role of guilt and remorse about crime.

• This article, hosted by Maryville University, describes seven different types of crimes criminals commonly commit and how criminal justice professionals study perpetrators’ behavior in order to bring them to justice.
• “Can Criminals Experience Remorse?” from Psychology Today evaluates the capacity some criminals possess—and do not possess—to feel sorry for their crimes.

Short Activity

Use these prompts to brainstorm ideas on the writing process and what makes a good writer.