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Belle Teal
by Ann M. Martin

Although she is excited about the new school year, Belle Teal finds herself beginning to worry about other parts of her life. Her Gran's memory isn't what it used to be. Her mother seems more and more distracted by having to work two jobs to support the family. Her friend Little Boss has bruises and strap marks inflicted by his father. And there are two new students in her class, a shy African American boy who finds himself in the center of the town's resistance to integration, and a beautiful girl who craves popularity, seems hell-bent on making life miserable for Belle Teal, and is harboring a secret of her own.

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Why does it bother Belle Teal when Gran asks her mother to buy more sugar?

	Belle Teal thinks she’s old enough to pick up the sugar herself now.
	Her mother is in school and works nights, so she really doesn’t have time.
	Gran makes the request over and over, forgetting that she has already asked.
	Belle Teal knows that they don’t really need sugar, and that Gran is confused.

Why does Miss Casey make a point of telling the class to welcome Darryl?

	He is a rich boy from out of town who has travelled through Europe.
	His family is one of the most important families in Coker Creek.
	He is one of the first three black children to go to this school.
	He has a learning disability, and has trouble making friends.

What does Little Boss do on the first day of school that makes Belle Teal angry?

	He, Chas, and Vernon beat up Darryl at recess.
	He makes fun of Clarice’s glasses.
	He calls Miss Casey a "Wicked Witch."
	He spits at Darryl and his mother as they leave school.

At the Halloween party, Little Boss spends a lot of time with Darryl and is very nice to him. Why?

	He thinks that Darryl is Belle Teal.
	He has realized that Darryl will make a good friend.
	His father forces him to be nice to Darryl.
	Belle Teal threatens to stop being his friend if he isn’t nice to Darryl.

When Mama announces that she will be going to secretarial school, what is Belle Teal’s main concern?

	Belle Teal will have to take care of Gran by herself.
	Mama will not have a lot of time to spend with Belle Teal.
	Mama had to use Belle Teal’s college money to pay her tuition.
	Belle Teal is embarrassed at the thought of her mother going to school.

What does Belle Teal do after school on the day she finds out the truth about Little Boss’ accident?

	She goes to the police and tells them the truth.
	She confronts Big Boss about it.
	She goes home and gets advice from her Gran and her mother.
	She writes it all down in her journal.

Why is Belle Teal embarrassed at the Christmas party?

	She is not wearing a new dress like Vanessa.
	Her Gran is acting strangely in front of the other parents.
	The fruitcakes she brought have soaked in too much bourbon.
	She failed in her performance as Mary in the Christmas Pageant.

What does Belle Teal find out about Vanessa?

	Vanessa has lied about travelling to Europe.
	Vanessa is adopted.
	Vanessa’s father abandoned their family a year ago.
	Vanessa’s mother died just before school started.

Why is Belle Teal confident that she and her mother can take care of Gran?

	They are both strong women, just like Gran.
	They will have more money now that Mama is going to be a secretary.
	They have figured out ways to keep Gran from getting confused.
	Gran will spend most days with Clarice’s family.

10.

Why doesn’t Belle Teal fight with Vanessa when she teases her, or with Vernon when he calls her names?

	Her Gran and her mother have taught her to fight with words, not with her fists.
	She’s better with words than with fists.
	She doesn’t get angry, because she doesn't care what they think.
	She’d rather get back at them another way.