Major Theme:

Prejudice

Summary:

'lois and her sister Wilma are proud of their father's brand-new, shiny gold Cadillac and proud that the family will be driving in it all the way from Ohio to Mississippi.  But as they travel deeper into the rural South, there are no admiring glances for the wonderful car, only suspicion and anger for the black man behind the wheel.  For the first time in their lives, 'lois and her sister find out what it's like to be scared because of the color of their skin.

 

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

What was Mother's reaction to the bright, shiny, new Cadillac that Daddy brought home for a surprise?  How did all the neighbors and relatives react?
 

Why do you think Mother felt the way she did about the gold Cadillac?

What were Mother and Daddy fighting about?  Why?

Question #4

What made Sunday afternoons so special for Wilma and 'lois?
Be Specific!

Question #5

Where did Daddy announce he would be driving the Cadillac to and why?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

What did "uncle" mean when he said, "it's like putting a loaded gun to your head."

What does lynch mean?

As the family got farther south they saw lots of signs in front of hotels, restrooms, and restaurants.  What did Daddy say when 'lois asked him what the signs meant?

What did the policemen accuse Daddy of when they stopped him?  Why do you suppose they thought this?

Question #10

What did Daddy have to do when the police escorted him to the station?  Do you think this was fair?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Why did Daddy trade cars with his cousin?  What was Daddy's explanation for the policemen treating him as they did and the signs?

What happened to the Cadillac?  What did Daddy mean when he said, "as fine as the Cadillac was, it had pulled the family apart for awhile?

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Have the students make a 3-D book report.  You will need four sheets of white paper, (12x18) , for each student.  Cut three of the sheets of paper, (12 x16 1/2), (12 x 15) and (12 x 13 1/2).
In otherwords, each sheet is 1 1/2 inches shorter than the one before it.  The longest sheet is the background.

Have students write about a time when their family was in disagreement about something, or had an experience that helped them to grow closer togethe

Extension #4

Extension #5