Lonnie’s closest friends—Eric, Lamont, and Angel—impact him in different ways. Examine their presence in his poems and what he chooses to share about each of them. Then, determine each boy’s purpose in the novel and explain, using textual evidence.

Consider Woodson’s decision to write the novel in verse, as well as her thoughts on this form in the background section. How would the narrative shift if she wrote in prose? What would be lost? Gained? Explain.

Identity is complex and consists of not just a person’s self-perception but also how others view them. Using textual evidence, examine how three different characters perceive Lonnie, and analyze the impact of these perceptions on him.