1. Tears of a Tiger
Sharon Draper

2. “Crash, Fire, Pain”
Who died in the crash?
Who was driving the car?
Who else was in the car?
What caused the character’s death? Who’s to blame?

3. “Hit the Showers! Hit the Streets!”
What’s significant about the date at the start of the chapter?
What are the boys planning to do after the game?
What role do the boys say BJ plays in the group?

4. Who lets Keisha know there’s been an accident?
“Oh no! It Just Can’t Be!”
Who lets Keisha know there’s been an accident?
Why does Keisha decide she needs to go to the hospital?

5. “Memories of Fire”
What do we learn about Gerald’s stepfather?
What does Tyrone mean by “That’s what I remember—and that’s what I’ll never be able to forget”?

6. What reason did BJ give for not drinking?
“Dear Lord”
What reason did BJ give for not drinking?
Why didn’t BJ try to stop the boys from drinking and driving?

7. “My Most Frightening Moment”
What does Rhonda say was her most frightening moment?
What are “bottles of sunshine”?

8. “The Hazelwood Herald”
What’s the number one cause of death among teenagers?
Who is the new team captain?
What is S.A.D.D.?

9. “Hey, Coach! Can We Talk?”
How are Andy’s parents reacting to the accident?
How did Andy and Rob become friends?
What words would you use to describe Andy’s emotions?
What were Andy’s consequences for drunk driving?

10. “Sad Songs, Juicy Gossip”
What does Rhonda say has helped the most with the students’ grief?
What is becoming more clear about Andy’s parents?

11. “If I Could Change the World”
1. What three things does Gerald say he wishes he could get rid of and why?

12. 1. What made Andy want to win so badly?
“Hoops and Dunks”
1. What made Andy want to win so badly?

13. “How Do I Feel?” Do you think Andy is really fine? Why or why not?
Do you think Andy respects his parents? Why or why not?
Why does Andy worry about Monty?

14. “Girl Problems?”
1. What seems to be happening to Andy and Keisha’s relationship?

15. “School Blues”
1. What is beginning to happen to Andy’s grades?

16. “Ferocious Frustration”
What does Andy say his dad does instead of talking? What does this tell us about their relationship?
What was the counselor’s reaction when Andy expressed his interest in pre-law?
What happened when Andy made an A on a test?

17. “Female Frustration”
What caused Andy’s mood to change at the mall?
How does Keisha seem to feel about Andy’s attitude?

18. “How Am I Supposed to Write Poetry?”
What is the tone of Andy’s poem?
Why do you think Andy lied about his assignment?

19. “Christmas without Rob”
1. How does Andy think Keisha feels about helping him? Is this how you think she feels? Explain.

20. “Good Morning, Hazelwood”
1. Why do you think Andy continues to excel in basketball while other areas of his life are suffering?

21. “Black on White”
How does Keisha describe herself? What role does she say she plays in Andy’s life?
What does Ms. Blackwell say about stereotypes? Do you agree or disagree?

22. “Accepting Fear—Escaping Pain”
What does Andy seem to be considering?
What is Andy’s homework assignment?

23. “Night and Dreams” What does Andy say his bad dreams are about?
What does Andy say he sees when he thinks about his future?
In Andy’s dream, what does Rob ask Andy to do?

24. “A Letter of Remembered Joy”
What does Andy decide to do in his letter? Do you think Rob’s parents will appreciate this?

25. “Out, Out! Brief Candle!”
What does Keisha call Lady Macbeth when she finds out she committed suicide in the play?
Why do you think Andy walked out?

26. “Baloney Sandwiches and Bad Breath”
What sparked Andy’s outburst?
Why doesn’t BJ want to talk to Andy’s parents?
How does the counselor betray Andy’s right to privacy?

27. “Learning to Live”
Do you think Andy really has it all together?
What is the plan for future visits?

28. “The Importance of Friendship”
1. According to Keisha, when is the most important time to have a friend?

29. “Concern and Denial”
Why does Ms. Blackwell call Andy’s father?
Does Andy’s dad take Ms. Blackwell’s concerns seriously? Explain.

30. “Lions, Tigers, and Dinosaurs”
What observation does Monty make about Andy?
Why does Monty compare Andy to a tiger?

31. “Hidden Opinions”
1. Do the teachers in this chapter seem to show genuine concern for Andy? Explain.

32. 1. How does Keisha feel about her relationship with Andy?
“Needs and Worries”
1. How does Keisha feel about her relationship with Andy?

33. “Do You? Do You?”
1. Why do you think the author shows us this letter right after Keisha’s diary entry?

34. “Public Pleasure, Private Pain”
What contrast do we see in Andy’s behavior as the host of the talent show?
What happens at the end of the chapter? How do you think Andy will react to this?

35. “Private Pain”
To which event does Andy compare his feelings? What does this tell us about the situation?
Why do you think the author lets us into Andy’s thoughts at the end of the chapter?

36. “Girl, Let Me Tell You!”
What was Keisha planning to do at the talent show?
How did Andy act as host of the talent show after the fight?

37. “Slipping Away”
Why do you think Andy lies to the coach?
What news does the coach give Andy?

38. “A Father’s Dreams”
What mistake do you think Andy’s father makes in their conversation?
Why does Andy’s father say he calls him Andrew?

39. “Nighttime Cries of Desperation”
Who does Andy try to call first? Why can’t he speak to him?
Who else does Andy try to call? Does he have any success reaching them?

40. “Have You Seen Andy?”
1. How would you describe Keisha’s feelings about Andy?

41. “Tigers Have It Rough”
What do you notice about Andy’s thoughts at the beginning of the chapter?
What happens at the end of the chapter? What clues did you see that this was coming?

42. “Facts without Feelings”
1. Who first saw the sign of Andy’s death? Do you think Andy would have prevented this if he could?

43. What does the grief counselor suggest Andy’s friends do?
“Feelings on Display”
Why is Tyrone so angry?
What does the grief counselor suggest Andy’s friends do?

44. “Anger and Pain”
Why does Tyrone find it easier to accept Rob’s death than Andy’s?
What does Gerald call Andy? Do you agree or disagree?
To what does Rhonda compare her memories of that day?

45. “Lord, Please Forgive Him”
What does BJ’s prayer let us know about Andy?

46. “The Tears of a Tiger”
What has happened since Andy’s death?
Why do you think the author ends the novel with a chapter focusing on Monty?