Take Back the Block

Identify at least two “turning points” that change Wes’s concept of “community.” What does Wes learn about The Significance of Community and Cultural Heritage?

How does the fountain symbolize Wes’s home and community? Why does it matter that the fountain has historical significance, and what does this have to do with the present-day community?

Analyze the various ways in which Wes grows and changes throughout the novel. How does Wes’s character development demonstrate The Importance of Youth Activism and Leadership?

How does Wes’s collaboration with Mr. Baker, Ms. Monica, his parents, and his friends illustrate the power of teamwork? Include at least three specific examples in your analysis.

According to the novel, what is The Impact of Gentrification on Communities, and why is gentrification not a purely good thing despite the new shops, restaurants, condos, and/or jobs that it might create?

How does Brent’s character arc, and his shifting friendship with Wes, demonstrate how communities can endure even though they change over time?

How does Mya’s character arc complicate the notion of “privilege”? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

How does Wes’s attitude about volunteering and attending protests evolve throughout the novel, and what does this suggest about the novel’s themes?