The Nickel Boys

What did the boys at Nickel do every Christmas?

• Visit their families (the only time of year they were allowed to).

• Donate gifts to communities in need.

• Cover the campus with festive lights and decorations.

• Host eating contests on the downlow.

In Chapter 10, Jaimie, Desmond, Elwood, and Turner discuss...

• What they hoped to do with the rest of their lives once they get out of Nickel.

• Which staff person at Nickel might help them escape.

• Which staff member's wife was the prettiest.

• Which staff member they'd want to poison.

Which staffer ends up being poisoned?

• Spencer

• Patrick

• Earl

• Wainwright

When Elwood and Turner are walking about the town freely during one of their Community Service sessions, Elwood asks Turner, "How would you do it?"

What did he mean by the question, and what was Turner's answer?

Why does Turner not like ice cream?

• He has diabetes and he almost died once from too much sugar intake.

• It reminds him of a negative interaction with his aunt's boyfriend.

• Because he went to the White House one too many times.

• It reminds him of an old girlfriend and that makes him upset about the life he's missing while in Nickel.

Based on the evidence in the text, which Nickel boy is *most likely* the one who put the poison in Earl's food?

• Desmond

• Elwood

• Turner

• Jaimie

In our first flash-forward with Elwood in this section, we learn that he is living in New York, has a girlfriend named Denise, and was able to get his GED. We also learn that he has started his own business.

What kind of business did he start?

• Civil Rights Advocacy Group

• Sanitation (garbage)

• Moving Company

• Ice Cream Parlour

What is the name of his moving company, and what is ironic about the name he chose for it?

Which of the following is NOT a way to get out of Nickel, according to Elwood?

• Serve your time.

• Poison a teacher.

• You could die.

• You could run.

• The court might intervene.

The story of Clayton Smith's escape is detailed over several pages of Chapter 10. In a short paragraph, write what you remember about Clayton, how he escapes, what happened afterwards, and the significance of his story.