107 Questions
What did Kit love about the typewriter?
The sound of the keys striking the paper and the ping of the bell
How did Kit type on the typewriter?
Using only her two pointer fingers
What did Kit's dad do every night when he came home from work?
Gave Kit the real newspaper to read
What did Kit give her dad in return for the real newspaper?
One of her newspapers
What is Ernie Lombardi's nickname?
Schnozz
What inspired Kit to offer Stirling a newspaper article about Ernie Lombardi?
Stirling's size compared to Ernie Lombardi
What did Stirling do in response to Kit's comment about Ernie Lombardi's size?
Whispered Ernie's height and weight
Why did Kit's mother not allow her to put back the newspaper article about Ernie Lombardi?
Due to the room being painted pink
What does Kit consider sacrificing to save money?
Dancing lessons and buying new things
Who does Kit seek solace and support from?
Ruthie
What do Kit and Ruthie discuss as a possibility if their family runs out of money?
Moving to a farm
What is Uncle Hendrick's relationship to Kit's mother?
Mother's uncle
What does the text highlight about Kit's approach to problem-solving?
Practical and proactive
What is the main cause of Kit's family financial crisis?
Father losing his job
Who struggles to find a new job in the story?
Kit's father
What does Kit discuss with Ruthie regarding their family's future?
Moving to a farm
Who arrives and puts Kit through a quiz without any greeting?
Uncle Hendrick
What is the tone used to portray Uncle Hendrick?
Grumpy
What is the main theme of the story?
Coping with financial adversity
What does Kit hope for to resolve the financial crisis?
Her father finding a new job
What was the title of the newspaper article Kit wrote for her dad?
IT'S NOT FAIR
Who did Kit accidentally hit with the door while rushing to show the article to Stirling?
Mrs. Howard
What did Kit's brother, Charlie, advise her against doing?
Giving the newspaper to their dad that day
What did Kit decide about her relationship with Stirling after the incident with Mrs. Howard?
To not be kind to him anymore
What did Kit feel about the blame placed on her after the accident?
Frustrated and angered
What did Kit search for in the newspaper article?
A photo of Schnozz
What did Kit plan to do with the special newspaper she wrote for her dad?
Give it to her dad
How did Kit feel while waiting for her dad to come home to give him the newspaper?
Agitated
What did Kit's brother, Charlie, question the necessity of?
Making a big deal out of the incident
What did Kit's response to the accident reflect?
Her frustration at being unjustly blamed
What did Kit emphasize as unjust in her article?
Blaming someone for something that isn't their fault
What did the incident with Mrs. Howard and Kit's reaction highlight?
The theme of unfairness and the importance of standing up for oneself
Why does Uncle Hendrick criticize Kit's family?
For investing in a car dealership
What innovative idea does Kit's mother suggest to earn money?
Taking in boarders
Why is Kit apprehensive about her mother's idea?
She is worried about strangers living in their home
What is Kit's father's main concern about taking in boarders?
Mother waiting on others in their own home
What does Mother plan to do to accommodate boarders?
Rearrange sleeping arrangements
Why is Kit upset about the plan to accommodate boarders?
Having to move to the attic
Who tries to console Kit when she's upset about moving to the attic?
Ruthie
What does Uncle Hendrick do when Mother plans to take in boarders?
Disapproves and leaves
Why is Kit resentful towards Stirling?
Having to move out of her room
What is Mother's attitude towards the plan to take in boarders?
Determined to proceed with the plan
What does Uncle Hendrick advise Kit's family to do regarding their house?
Sell it
What is Uncle Hendrick's opinion about Kit's family investing in a car dealership?
He criticizes it
What did the father do to protect his employees' salaries?
Used his savings to keep paying their salaries
Why might the family lose their house?
They have a mortgage and might not be able to afford the payments
What is the brother's concern regarding college?
He might not be able to go to college due to the financial situation
How does the sister feel about the uncertain future?
Angry and fearful
Why does the brother confide in the sister about the family's situation?
Because he believes she deserves to know
How does the daughter feel after confronting her father about the family's situation?
Grateful and empathetic
What does the daughter realize after hugging her father?
Her previous complaints seem trivial in comparison
How is the family depicted in the story?
Struggling with the uncertainties and challenges brought about by the economic hardships of the Depression
What does the brother tell the sister about life's fairness?
Life is not fair and sometimes there is no one to blame for the hardships
What did the father do to keep the family's situation from the children?
He shielded the children from worrying by not revealing the full extent of the situation
What is the sister's initial reaction to the family's situation?
She feels a sense of anger and fear about the uncertain future
What did Kit's father do with any money left over after paying the bills?
He put it in his savings account at the bank.
How did Kit and Ruthie feel about the prospect of moving to a farm if their money ran out?
They were hesitant due to lack of farming knowledge.
What did Ruthie and Kit discuss as a possibility if their family runs out of money?
Hoping for their dad to get another job
What was part of the money that Kit's parents owed the bank?
The money borrowed when they bought the house
What does Mother propose to do to earn money?
Take in boarders in their home
What is Dad's initial reaction to Mother's proposal?
He is uncomfortable with serving others in their own home
What does Uncle Hendrick criticize the family for?
Their financial decisions
What does Charlie agree to do to accommodate boarders?
Move to the sleeping porch
What does the family discuss in relation to the new living situation?
Rearranging rooms to accommodate boarders
What theme is central to the story?
The challenges of financial strain
What does Uncle Hendrick's lack of support add to?
The family's financial challenges
What does the text highlight about Mother's approach to decision-making?
Her determination and resolve
What is Kit's initial reaction to Mother's proposal?
Hesitation and questioning the idea
What does the family agree to do in response to Mother's proposal?
Take in boarders
What does the text emphasize about the family's willingness?
Their willingness to adapt
What does Mother's determination and resolve highlight?
Her determination and resolve in making decisions for the family
What event marked the lowest point of the Great Depression?
Roosevelt's election in 1932
What derogatory term was used to refer to the shantytowns built by homeless people during the Great Depression?
Hoovervilles
What did the International Apple Shippers Association do to help unemployed workers during the Great Depression?
Sold them apples
Who lost the confidence of many Americans due to a lack of action during the Great Depression?
Herbert Hoover
What marked the beginning of widespread economic suffering during the Great Depression?
The 1929 stock market crash
What was a common way people sought to escape their troubles during the Great Depression?
Listening to radio shows
What was the impact of the 1929 stock market crash on businesses and banks?
They were shut down
What was the primary reason for families relying on charity for basic necessities during the Great Depression?
They had lost their source of income
What was the attitude of many Americans towards President Herbert Hoover during the Great Depression?
Criticism and lack of confidence
What was the impact of the 1920s stock market imbalance on the economy?
Widespread economic suffering
What did the 1932 election of Franklin D. Roosevelt bring to many Americans during the Great Depression?
Hope for change and a way out of the Depression
What did children struggle with during the Great Depression, according to the text?
Affording lunch and staying awake in school
What does Kit's mother plan to do in order to pay the mortgage?
Convert their home into a boarding house
How does Kit feel about moving to the attic?
Upset, feeling exiled and indignant
What does Kit discover in the attic that overwhelms her?
Her old belongings
How does Kit feel about the prospect of decorating the attic?
Cheered and excited
What does Kit enjoy about the attic?
The freedom and lack of interference with her activities
Who becomes paying guests and moves into Kit's room?
Stirling and his mother
What is Kit's initial reaction to the idea of turning their home into a boarding house?
Resentful and upset
How does Kit feel about her mother's lack of interest in fixing up the attic?
Disappointed
What does Ruthie try to do for Kit when she is upset about the attic?
Comfort her
How does Kit feel when she discovers her old belongings in the attic?
Overwhelmed by sadness and change
What does Stirling find Kit doing in the attic?
Struggling to hold back tears
What is Kit's attitude towards the idea of her mother turning their home into a boarding house?
Apprehensive
What does Kit decide to do with half of the attic?
Turn it into different alcoves for her interests
What does Kit wish for in relation to the Great Depression?
A modern-day Robin Hood to help the poor
What creative ways did people resort to during the Great Depression?
Planting gardens, raising animals for food, and making things they couldn't afford to buy
What was a dangerous and illegal act that many people resorted to during the Great Depression?
Riding the rails
What historical context does the text provide in relation to the 1920s?
The economic boom of the 1920s and the growth of the automobile industry
What did people do in response to the impact of the Depression on businesses and banks?
Lost their life's savings and became homeless
What did the text emphasize about the transition of American companies in the 1920s?
From making war supplies to consumer goods
What did Kit draw parallels between in relation to the idea that 'Changes Can Be Good'?
Her attic transformation and the changes needed to overcome the Depression
What did Kit's mother emphasize the need for in response to the impact of the Depression?
Hard work, resourcefulness, and hope
What did the text describe as a significant means of coping during the Great Depression?
Recycling and making things they couldn't afford to buy
What did the text highlight as an indicator of the economy's health?
The role of the stock market
What did Kit's mother appreciate about Kit's effort in the attic?
The personal touch she has given to the attic
Study Notes
Family's Financial Struggles and Mother's Innovative Idea
- Kit struggles with her uncle's challenging word problems and her family's financial difficulties
- Uncle Hendrick criticizes Kit's family for investing in a car dealership and advises them to sell their house
- Mother suggests taking in boarders to earn money, surprising Kit and her uncle
- Uncle Hendrick disapproves of the idea and leaves, disheartening Kit
- Mother finds the idea of taking in boarders intriguing and a potential source of income
- Kit is apprehensive about the idea of strangers living in their home
- Dad is reluctant about the idea and worries about Mother waiting on others in their own home
- Mother is determined to proceed with the plan and involves the family in the decision
- Mother plans to accommodate boarders by rearranging sleeping arrangements, including moving Stirling and his mother into Kit's room
- Kit is upset about having to move to the attic to make room for Stirling and his mother
- Ruthie tries to console Kit by pointing out that she didn't even like her room that much
- Kit is still upset about having to move out of her room, feeling resentful towards Stirling
Family Struggles During the Depression
- The family is facing financial struggles due to the Depression, which has led to the father closing down his car dealership.
- The father kept the situation from the children to avoid worrying them and used his savings to keep paying his employees' salaries.
- The family may lose their house because they have a mortgage and might not be able to afford the payments.
- The brother might not be able to go to college due to the financial situation.
- The brother tells the sister that life is not fair and that sometimes there is no one to blame for the hardships.
- The sister feels a sense of anger and fear about the uncertain future.
- The brother confides in the sister about the family's situation because he believes she deserves to know.
- The sister feels grateful that the brother treated her like a grownup and appreciated being informed, despite wishing it wasn't true.
- The father comes home looking discouraged, and the daughter confronts him about the family's situation.
- The father admits that the family's situation is uncertain, and they might not be alright.
- The daughter hugs her father and crumples up her newspaper, realizing that her previous complaints seem trivial in comparison.
- The family is depicted as struggling with the uncertainties and challenges brought about by the economic hardships of the Depression.
Kit's Attic Dilemma
- Kit's mother plans to turn their home into a boarding house to pay the mortgage
- Stirling and his mother will become paying guests and move into Kit's room
- Kit is asked to move to the hot, stuffy attic to make room for Stirling
- Kit is upset about losing her room, feeling exiled and indignant
- Ruthie tries to comfort Kit, pointing out the positive aspects of the attic
- Kit is disappointed when her mother shows little interest in fixing up the attic
- Kit discovers her old belongings in the attic, feeling overwhelmed by sadness and change
- Kit, who rarely cries, struggles to hold back tears over the drastic changes
- Stirling finds Kit in the attic, and they have a brief, touching interaction
- Kit feels cheered by the prospect of decorating the attic as she pleases
- Kit becomes excited about the attic and starts planning something
- Kit enjoys the freedom of the attic and is glad no one interferes with her activities there
Life during the Great Depression in America
- Kit helps her mother clean the attic and decides to use half of it for herself, creating different alcoves for her interests such as a newspaper office, baseball, reading, and a tree house.
- Kit's mother appreciates her effort and the personal touch she has given to the attic, acknowledging her hard work and independence.
- Kit's mother shows understanding and support for Kit's interests, referring to her reading of Robin Hood and her plans for a secret escape like Robin Hood's.
- They discuss the impact of the Depression, with Kit expressing a wish for a modern-day Robin Hood to help the poor and her mother emphasizing the need for hard work, resourcefulness, and hope.
- Kit reflects on the idea that "Changes Can Be Good," drawing parallels between her attic transformation and the changes needed to overcome the Depression.
- The text provides a glimpse into the hardships faced by the Kittredge family and millions of Americans during the Great Depression, including job loss and financial struggles.
- It describes the widespread impact of the Depression, with businesses and banks closing, people losing their life's savings, families unable to afford basic needs, and some becoming homeless.
- People resorted to creative ways to cope, such as planting gardens, raising animals for food, recycling, and making things they couldn't afford to buy.
- The text highlights the dangerous and illegal act of "riding the rails" as a means for many people to travel the country in search of work during the Depression.
- It provides historical context, explaining the economic boom of the 1920s, the widespread ownership of radios, and the growth of the automobile industry.
- The text explains the transition of American companies from making war supplies to consumer goods in the 1920s and the role of the stock market in driving economic growth.
- It discusses the significance of stock ownership, stock certificates, and the role of the stock market as an indicator of the economy's health.
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