The Other Wes Moore

What is "neutral ground," and why do they call it that?

"Neutral ground" is a place where all types of young men from the neighborhood meet. Everyone puts aside their differences and accepts one another form an alliance - a brotherhood.

How did the two Wes' meet?

Author Wes was in South Africa when a newspaper showed his name and that inmate Wes killed a man in an armed robbery. The author wrote the other Wes a letter in prison. The Author's mom told him about the other Wes and that the police were searching for him.

Why did Mary move to Baltimore County?

Because Tony was shot in the chest during a drug deal that had gone wrong. And Wes failed 6th grade at Cinquapin and had to repeat it.

Ice Grille

Grille is slang for face and ice is for coldness. It was the look on the face of kids who were out of the streets and in danger. It was their way of looking tough while being depressed on the inside.

Describe Tony

He is Wes's (Inmate) older half-brother who spends most of his time with his maternal grandmother (on his mother's side) or his dad at Murphy Homes Project

Describe what Wes (inmate) does after running home from the football game and why it is significant

He runs home and gets a long- bladed knife. He is taking Tony's advice which is "Rule number one: If someone disrespects you, you send a message so fierce that they won't have a chance to do it again."

What does Wes (inmate) do sfter he finds this in his mothers closet?

He smokes it and mixes it with alcohol.

Who watches the inmate Wes most of the time?

His grandmother and other family members, as well as Mary's friend while he is little.

What faith had the inmate Wes converted to?

Islamic

Why does the author Wes's mother move their family?

Joy moves them to the Bronx because she needs help with the kids, and her parents live there and can provide that help.

Where does Tony live?

Tony spends most of his time in the Murphy Homes Project (a.k.a "Murder Homes". It is dirty, covered in graffiti and dard. Drugs were sold here, and many teenagers has guns.

What did Wes (inmate) find in his mothers closet?

Wes finds marijuana in his mother's closet.

What happens to Wes (inmate) during the football game?

Wes gets in a fight with a smaller boy, and the boy punches him and draws blood.

Where does the author Wes go to school and why?

Wes goes to Riverdale Country School. His mother wanted him to have more opportunities (educational) and to have a safe place to go to school.

How does Wes feel about Tony?

Wes idolizes his big brother, who is the closest thing he has to a father.

Describe the inmate Wes's new job.

Wes in now a "lookout" for the drug dealers. He warns them and lets them know that the police are around.

Why was the author Wes suspended? What was the story he told his friends?

Wes was playfully fighting with another student and threw him over his shoulder on to the ground. The student suffered a cut to his head, Wes told his friends that the boy was disrespecting him and that he slammed him to the ground and stood over him taunting him.

Where did Wes's mother live before coming to the United States?

Wes's mom, Joy, lived in Jamaica before coming to the United States.

what happened to the author Wes's father?

he died due to a misdiagnosis from the hospital. He was sent home, told to rest, and later suffocated and died. He was mistreated by the hospital due to his awful appearance and assumptions made by the staff at the hospital.