Examine the function color serves in the narrative. How does Woodson’s frequent mentioning of colors contribute to the overall focus on synesthesia in the novel?

Consider your previous knowledge of the Tulsa Race Massacre—often misremembered as the Tulsa Race Riot—and describe how the novel’s dealing with this tragedy enriched your understanding of it.

Consider the significance of the novel’s major settings: the house in Brooklyn, Aubrey’s childhood home, and Iris’s college. Choose one setting and explain how Woodson supports the thematic and narrative goals of the text with it.