1. Questions and Activities over Chapters 1-5
The Schwa was Here
Questions and Activities over Chapters 1-5

2. About the Author Neil Shusterman was born and raised in Brooklyn,
New York. He began writing
at an early age. He has degrees in
both psychology and drama. His
professional writing career began shortly after his graduation from college. At 22, Mr. Shusterman became the youngest syndicated columnist in the United States when he was picked up by the Syndicated Writer's Group. Besides just writing novels, he spends his time directing films, writing stage plays, and writing music. He, also, was a celebrity judge for Hasbro's Real American Hero Search. His books have won many awards.

3. The Schwa was Here
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1. Where did Neil Shusterman’s inspiration for the story come from?
2. How does Mr. Shusterman describe the narrator, Antsy?

4. Chapter 1 Questions 1. What is Antsy's real name in the novel?
2. Of what heritage is Antsy's family?
3. Where does Antsy's family live?
4. What is the name of the company where Antsy's father works?
5. What product does the company make?
6. What is the Schwa's first name?
7. Who is very unfriendly to the Schwa in his first appearance? Why does he act this way?

5. On Your Own… Answer: 1. How did Antsy get his nickname?
2. How did the Schwa get his nickname?
3. Ira says the Schwa is 10 foot pole material. What does this mean?
4. A euphemism is using a gentler term for describing something. Example: passed away instead of died. What euphemisms does the author use for describing the characters? Find two.

6. Brooklyn, NY http://www.nycgo.com/neighborhoods/
Most populous of 5 NY boroughs
2.6 million people live here
Independent city until 1896
Highlights: Brooklyn Nets, Prospect Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Author grew up in Brooklyn

7. Chapter 2 Questions 1. Where do the boys meet to discuss the Schwa?
2. What was apparently the original name of the Schwa family in the Old World?
3. Of what heritage is Ira in the novel?
4. What is special about the Schwa’s eyes?

8. Chapter 3 Questions
1. Who points out the Schwa when he raises his hand in class?
2. Who suggests an experiment involving the Schwa?
3. What is the Schwa effect?
4. How many students notice the Schwa in a classroom?
5. What do Antsy and his friends get the Schwa to wear in the boys' bathroom?
6. What do Antsy and his friends get the Schwa to do in the boys' bathroom?
7. What is the third experiment that Antsy and his friends carry out with the Schwa in Chapter 3?

9. Chapter 4 Questions 1. A girl agrees to pay to see the Schwa do what?
2. How much do the student officers agree to pay a week to keep the Schwa on retainer?
3. Old Man Crawley is famous for an incident in which he took revenge on children for_________.
4. Who dares the Schwa to sneak into Old Man Crawley's apartment?
5. What does Old Man Crawley live above and what is just below his apartment?
6. What kind of dogs does Old Man Crawley have?
7. What has he named his dogs after?
8. What is the Schwa dared to bring back from Old Man Crawley's home in Chapter 4?
9. Old Man Crawley owns what kind of business?

11. Again I Go Unnoticed- Dashboard Confessionalvk
Write your questions stems and be ready to complete them with the correct answers. The song moves quickly, so LISTEN!
1. What is the complaint of the singer?
2. What is wasted?
3. What is the tone (attitude of writer) of this song?
4. What is the mood (feeling) of this song?

12. Journaling
How does it feel to go unnoticed? Draw from your own experiences or from the characters in The Schwa Was Here to explain what being unnoticed is like.

13. Chapter 5 Questions
1. Why is the Schwa unable to steal a bowl from Old Man Crawley's home?
2. When Antsy and the Schwa are found in Old Man Crawley's home, he comes at them with what weapon?
3. Where is the Schwa hiding when Old Man Crawley discovers him and Antsy in his home?
4. Whose heritage does Old Man Crawley insult, saying his 'breeding' is bad?
5. Old Man Crawley tells Antsy and the Schwa that they will have to do what to make amends?
6. What does Old Man Crawley say he will do if the boys do not turn up each day after school?