Part 1, Chapters 1-2

Reading Check

1. Drug smuggling (Part 1, Chapter 1)

2. Survival (Part 1, Chapter 1)

3. Writing (Part 1, Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. Jack says his face is greasy and unattractively pockmarked due to the poor conditions in prison and his anxiety. (Part 1, Chapter 1)

2. Gantos believes that he needs to have exciting experiences to be a good writer. (Part 1, Chapter 2)

Part 1, Chapters 3-4

Reading Check

1. Davy Crockett (Part 1, Chapter 3)

2. The Piggly Wiggly (Part 1, Chapter 3)

3. A prison (Part 1, Chapter 3)

4. Tim Scanlon (Part 1, Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Gantos begins to romanticize criminal activity and lewd behavior. He states it is “sexy” to envision himself in prison, and the crude behavior of detectives and perpetrators interests him. (Part 1, Chapter 3)

2. Gantos mostly writes by imitation, but he often fails to write even while cultivating experiences to do so. (Various chapters)

Part 2, Chapters 1-2

Reading Check

1. Making shipping crates (Part 2, Chapter 1)

2.