1. What does Ralph encourage Lonnie to do when Lonnie tells him he is broke, and what does Ralph think when Lonnie leaves the theater halfway through a movie?

2. What does Lonnie do in his overzealous approach to the clay bust for the banker?

3. What does Lonnie do as Ralph works on the clay bust?

4. Why do the boys stop in the town of Globe in their travels?

5. What expenses do the boys incur in El Paso that really drains their funds?

6. How does Lonnie show his bartering skills in town?

7. Why does Ralph allow Lonnie to take undeserved credit for the clay bust projects?

8. What startling fact does Ralph learn related to Lonnie's leaving town?

9. What is Ralph's plan for making money from the art jobs when it becomes difficult finding work in the small towns outside of El Paso?

10. How does Lonnie occupy his time when Ralph is working on the clay busts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coming of age is an important theme in "Shaking the Nickel Bush". Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Ralph's mother. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Ralph's mother?

Essay Topic 3

Integrity seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of integrity? Why does it have such a prevalent place in Ralph's life? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

(see the answer keys)

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