In the final chapter of Fist, Stick, Gun, Knife, we find that Canada is suddenly in college in Maine: information that comes as a surprise to us. Why do you think that the author chose to withhold all information on how he chose and applied to this college?

Canada states frequently in the book that Mike was an important figure to him when he was growing up. Why do you think this was so? What do you think he learned from Mike that he could not have learned from the other adults in his life?

In Chapter 9 of the book, Canada takes part in protecting Kevin, a member of his group, from a violent, armed man. He is frightened, but also states, “I [had] given up the option of running. This freed me to act.” What do you think he means by this?