Okay for Now

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. Joe Pepitone (Chapter 1)

2. Ernie Eco (Chapter 1)

3. A New York Yankees jacket (Chapter 1)

4. Mrs. Windermere (Chapter 2)

5. Christopher (Chapter 3)

6. Jane Eyre (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. Doug’s father frequently acts out erratically with violence or yelling. He was fired from his job for yelling at his boss, he beat Doug when Doug asked him to talk to Christopher, and he disrespects Doug’s mother. (Various chapters)

2. When he first meets people, he criticizes them, mirroring his family’s interactions. (Various chapters)

3. He asks Doug if he draws. Doug is offended by this statement and walks out of the library. (Chapter 2)

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. Christopher (Chapter 4)

2. Mama’s baby (Chapter 4)

3. Mr. Ballard (Chapter 5)

4. The yellow shank (Chapter 5)

5. Their mother (Chapter 5)

6. Drawings of students (Chapter 6)

7. The Vietnam War (Chapter 6)

Short Answer

1. The Audubon drawings are being torn from the book and sold off for thousands of dollars. Both Doug and Mr. Powell are upset about the drawings being torn from the book, and Doug feels as though “everything was ruined forever.” (Chapter 4)

2. The community is unwilling to help Doug because the townspeople consider his brother a thief. His peers also criticize him for the tattoo his father gave him. (Various chapters)

Chapters 7-8

Reading Check

1. The puffin drawings (Chapter 7)

2. Aaron Copland’s Autobiography (Chapter 7)

3. Lieutenant Leonard Merriman (Chapter 7)

4. His bike pedal (Chapter 8)

5. An orchid (Chapter 8)

6. Joel (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. He convinces James Russel’s father to give the drawing back to the library after giving him Aaron Copland’s Autobiography. He also makes a deal with Principal Peattie that he must give the picture back to the library if Christopher is found innocent. (Various chapters)

2. Lucas does not want his brother, Christopher, to suffer through the Vietnam War as he has. To prevent this, Lucas has decided to find a job so he might be able to afford Christopher’s college education. (Chapter 8)

Chapters 9-10

Reading Check

1. The snowy heron drawing (Chapter 9)

2. Joe Pepitone (Chapter 9)

3. The red-throated divers (Chapter 9)

4. “Thanks” (Chapter 9)

5. Watercolors (Chapter 10)

6. Assistant coach (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. The townspeople are suspicious of Lucas’s injuries and appearance. They find his presence unsettling and are often unkind and prejudiced toward him because of his injuries and service in the Vietnam War. (Chapter 9)

2. The community extends support for Doug because his girlfriend, Lil, is sick. They send supplies with him to give to Lil, and Mr. Powell helps him create a painting for her. The gym teacher offers Lucas a job, and the community gifts Doug’s mother plants for her garden. (Chapter 10)