1. Research the author's background and other works. Write about what she means when she says that one of her purposes in writing is "to portray the essence of a people who are a parallel cultural community in America."

2. Read some of Hamilton's folklore and nonfiction. Write about the research required for each.

3. Look up various types of magnet schools. Describe one that you would like to attend.

4. Investigate illegal drugs. Select specific ones and find out how and where they originate, what effect they have, and how prevalent they are in our culture now.

5. Write a fictional, first-person account of your discovery that your good friend is a drug pusher.

6. Find the statistics on teen-age sexual activity in your state or area. Compile a chart showing rates for teen-age pregnancy, communicable diseases, and drug-addicted babies.