Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Though legally blind, Paul Fisher can see what others cannot. He can see that his parents' constant praise of his brother, Erik, the football star, is to cover up something that is terribly wrong. But no one listens to Paul--until his family moves to Tangerine. In this Florida town, weird is normal: Lightning strikes at the same time every day, a sinkhole swallows a local school, and Paul the geek finds himself adopted into the toughest group around--the soccer team at his middle school.

 Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs

1.        On page 257, Paul's father says "We wanted to find a way to keep you from always hating your brother." Paul replies by saying "So you figured it would be better if I just hated myself?" Do you think his parents understood what their lie did to Paul? Would you have done what they did? What might the relationship have been like between Paul and Erik if Paul had always known the truth?

2.        Near the end of the novel, even though Erik's eyes are now "mere slits," (p.270), is it possible that he sees things clearly for the first time? What is the "cage" that he has made for himself? (p.292). Could his pacing perhaps be because he remembers what he has done to Paul?

3.        On page 204, Paul's mother says, "Give some credit where credit is due. Who do you think makes all of this possible? Who do you think holds this whole thing together? Your father?" What is the "whole thing"? Does she hold everything together? How does she do that? Is she more aware of her family situation than Paul's father?

4.        When confronted about the construction problems that the Lake Windsor subdivision faces, Mr. Fisher says, "I can't change the past, but I'm putting some big changes in place for now and for the future" (p. 236). Is he perhaps referring to changes other than construction changes? How are Charley Burns's actions, or lack of actions, with the development of subdivisions similar to Mr. Fisher's actions, or lack of actions, with the development of both of his sons? Ultimately, Charley Burns cannot stand the truth about his actions and he has a fatal heart attack. In what way does Mr. Fisher experience a heart attack? Will he survive his heart attack?

5.        Consider the following statements and explain how each would apply to Erik, Paul, Mr. Fisher, Mrs. Fisher, Antoine Thomas, and Luis Cruz: Ignorance is bliss. Ye shall seek the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced Times New Roman 12 (even if it is hand written) and have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade.

Student Name________

Title XXXXXXX

Question #2 and #4

Grade 7

This assignment is due NO LATER than August 30, 2013 Late work will not be accepted.