Chapters 1-5

Reading Check

1. The state has to cut costs and they “can’t afford” to keep taking care of older teens like Risa. The state chooses to unwind older kids to make room for younger ones. (Chapter 2)

2. Lev is a tithe. His parents sacrifice one tenth of everything in the name of religion. Lev is their 10th child. (Chapter 3)

3. Connor’s escape truck gets stopped by the police. His attempt to flee causes Risa’s bus to crash. He attempts to kidnap Lev to use as a human shield but then kidnaps him to save him from unwinding. (Chapters 3-4)

Short Answer

1. Connor is impulsive. He doesn’t seem to think before he acts and takes dangerous, sometimes life-threatening, risks. (Chapters 1-5)

Chapters 6-10

Reading Check

1. They pretend to argue, giving Lev a chance to escape, but he doesn’t take it. (Chapter 8)

2. She pretends to be collecting clothing donations as part of a charity drive for the local high school. (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. Storking is leaving a newborn on an unwitting family’s doorstep. It’s legal as long as the parent leaving the newborn doesn’t get caught in the act.