1. Benjie says in the first chapter that he hates for people to lie to him and that he does not "dig stealin," yet he admits in the same chapter that he has stolen and has lied about it. Throughout the story, we see him both lie and steal.

What does this tell us about Benjie?

2. Jimmy-Lee blames only "skag" for the distance between himself and Benjie. Are there other differences between them that cause problems in their relationship? Why or why not?

3. Benjie relates that he used heroin the first time to show that he was not "chicken." Would it have taken more courage to say no to his friends? Why or why not?

4. Over and over, Benjie says that he is not "hooked" and that he can quit any time he wants to. Can he? Point out some details from the story to...