Study Questions

Tears of a Tiger Questions -

The questions are in chronological order from the book. Answer them using complete sentences.

Crash, Fire, Pain - Pages 1 to 60

Comprehend

  1. What was the result of the car crash reported on Nov. 8?

  2. Who is Keisha?

  3. What is the relationship like between Rob and Andy?

  4. Why does Tyrone say Gerald didn’t go out with his friends?

  5. What was Rhonda’s “Most Frightening Moment”?

  6. How did Andy and Rob’s relationship begin?

  7. In Rhonda’s letter to her friend, what does she say about Andy’s family life?

Think in depth

  1. The book’s author, Sharon Draper, chose to write this book using many different kinds of chapters. Why do you think she began with a newspaper article revealing Robert’s death and then went back in time for the next chapter?

  2. Draper does a good job of using dialogue that feels realistic. Choose a line that felt “real” and explain why.

  3. What do you think Tyrone was starting to stay on page 11 about Gerald and his stepfather? Why?

  4. Explain how B.J. is different from the other boys with whom he’s friends.

  5. We don’t hear anything from the book’s main character, Andy, until page 23, which is unusual. What can you infer from the fact that Andy chooses to open up about his feelings to his coach?

Comprehend

  1. Why would Gerald get rid of five-dollar bills?

  2. How are Andy’s parents different from Rob’s regarding basketball?

  3. What is causing problems in Andy and Keisha’s relationship on Dec. 13?

  4. How is Andy doing in school now based off the Dec 14 and 17 entries?

  5. Andy says he likes a particular subject in school, but his teacher doesn’t know. What subject?

Think in depth

  1. In the first game after Rob’s death, how do you think Andy was feeling?

  2. Andy visits Dr. Carrothers to talk about Rob’s death. Explain how his emotional state is at this point in the story.

  3. Andy has a lot of problems with his dad. Analyze why this is based off his conversation with Dr. Carrothers on Dec. 17.

Female Frustrations - Pages 61 to 102

Comprehend

  1. In Keisha’s diary she writes about her and Andy’s trip to the mall. What goes wrong?

  2. Who do you think Keisha’s poem is aimed at? Whose is Rhonda’s about?

  3. Andy explains why he got upset at the mall. Why was it?

  4. How was Andy’s Christmas?

Think in depth

  1. Sharon Draper chose to write this book using different points of view. How does this give the reader more insight?

  2. Infer - Why doesn’t Andy turn in the poem he does for his homework?

  3. Andy and Rob felt like they were being watched and treated differently at the mall because they were black teenagers. Evaluate whether you’ve ever seen or experienced this kind of prejudice.

Comprehend

  1. Keisha wakes up Andy to tell him that what happened overnight — he isn’t excited like she is?

  2. What does it show about Andy’s state of mind that he asks Keisha “Do you think Robbie is cold?”?

  3. What does Andy tell Dr. Carrothers he thinks about all the time?

  4. Andy and his younger brother, Monty, talk about dreams. What does Andy say he dreams about?

  5. Andy has a dream that same night. What does Rob say to him in his dream?

Think in depth

  1. Andy’s English class reads a poem (p. 83), which causes some debate. Imagine you’re in class with them and write out what you’d “say” during the conversation.

  2. Evaluate whether or not Andy is improving based off his doctor’s appointments.

  3. Andy says about his future, “I’m not anywhere.” What can you interpret based off this statement?

A Day of Remembered Joy - Pages 103 to 154

Comprehend

  1. What does Rob’s family have that Andy believes his family doesn’t have?

  2. Why did Andy run out of his English class?

  3. What does B.J. always eat for lunch? Why?

  4. What hints do Tyrone and B.J. receive from Andy that tells them he is not able to handle the pain and pressure?

  5. What happens when Andy’s friends try to talk to the counselor about Andy?

  6. Why does Ms. Blackwell call Andy’s parents?

  7. How does Andy’s father react to Ms. Blackwell’s call?

  8. How does Monty color people in his coloring book?

Think in depth

  1. Do you think Andy sent his letter to Rob’s parents? Explain your reasoning.

  2. Compare and contrast Macbeth’s emotional state to Andy’s emotional state?

  3. Do you feel that Dr. Carrothers was right to end Andy’s weekly visits so quickly? Why or why not?

  4. Monty put tears on his picture of a tiger, which inspires the title. Evaluate why Sharon Draper chose to use this phrase for the title.

Comprehend

  1. Why does the teacher think that black kids are tougher than white kids?

  2. What types of comments do the teachers make?

  3. What does Keisha notice about Andy when he is hosting the talent show?

  4. Why does Andy snap at Keisha during the talent show?

  5. Why does Andy feel he doesn’t deserve to have someone as good as Keisha in his life?

  6. When talking to his mom what incident from his childhood does Andy compare his pain to?

  7. What is the bad news Coach Ripley has for Andy?

  8. Why does Andy’s father finally take Andy’s problems seriously?

  9. Why is Andy defensive and angry toward his father?

  10. What must Andy do to make it in the world, according to Andy’s father?

Think in depth

  1. Compare and contrast our current society and culture to that of the one in this book.

  2. What do you think is happening to Andy as he continues to hide his emotional problems and his fears from everyone?

  3. Do you feel Andy’s father did the right thing by approaching Andy in the manner he did? Why or why not?

  4. Andy talks with both his mom and dad in these pages, revealing how painful their relationships are. Analyze which of his parents is most supportive of him. Why?

Nighttime Cries of Desperation - Pages 155 to 180

Comprehend

1. When Andy tries to call Dr. Carrothers and can’t get him, why doesn’t Andy talk to Dr. C’s associate, Dr. Kelly?

2. How does Keisha feel about her breakup with Andy?

3. Who was the first to notice that something was wrong at Andy’s house?

4. How does Tyrone feel about the suicide prevention team?

5. Does Tyrone understand Andy’s suicide?

6. Who believes Andy is a coward for his actions?

7. What has Marcus learned from this experience?

8. What does B.J. say has kept him sane all of this time?

9. What is B.J.’s tone in his prayer about Andy?

10. What has changed in Andy’s family now that he is gone?

Think in depth

1. How is a caged tiger similar to Andy during the chapter starting on page 155?

2. Explain what Keisha mean when she states, “You (Andy) had so much to live for”?

3. Choose which letter of those written at the end best expresses how you would feel in this situation. Explain.