No More Dead Dogs

Question 1

Why does Wallace always tell the truth

Answer 1

His father always told wild stories that were all lies to impress others and Wallace. This angered him so much that he vowed to never lie for any reason.

Question 2

Name some examples of how always telling the truth has caused trouble for him or his mom.

Answer 2

• He told his uncle that his toupee looked like an animal died on his head.
• He told his new neighbors that their house slants.
• He told Mr. Fogleman, the English teacher, that “Old Shep My Pal” was a predictable and terrible book in a book report. He earned a detention.

Question 3

What were some problems with the book and consequently the play, “Old Shep My Pal”?

Answer 3

• The dialogue was “lame” or outdated
• The book was predictable - the dog ALWAYS dies
• The characters have no reality to them - they’re “flat”

Question 4

To whom does Rachel turn to when sharing her problems?

Answer 4

She writes to an actress, Julia Roberts, even though she knows she will not write back.

Question 5

Why is Wallace treated like a hero and why doesn’t Wallace like that?

Answer 5

• He caught the winning touchdown for the state championship.
• Wallace doesn’t like it because it was by sheer luck or accident that the ball landed in his possession. He’s not a good player.
• He also lost his best friends, Cavanaugh, because of that game

Question 6

How do Wallace’s friends from the football team react to him becoming more and more involved in the play?

Answer 6

• They treat him like a traitor - he let the team down.
• They do not help him at his mom’s anymore.
• Some refuse to speak to him at all.

Question 7

Name 3 acts of vandalism done to the play.

Answer 7

• The scripts were shredded.
• Someone wrote graffiti on the sets.
• Marbles were spilled on the stage when they were skating.
• Pepper was dropped from the ceiling onto the stage.
• A cherry bomb was planted in the dog for the play.
• All technical cords were tied into one big knot.

Question 8

What is the problem with the Bedford Middle School Weekly Standard and what problems has this caused Wallace?

Answer 8

• The Standard is inaccurate.
• The Standard is run by Parker, who gets all the facts mixed up and incorrect.
• Parker always stretches the truth.
• People thought Wallace was a spy for the principal.
• People thought Trudy was Wallace’s girlfriend.
• People thought Wallace quit the team due to a romance.

Question 9

Who was suspected of harming the play and who really was it? Why did they do it?

Answer 9

The members of the football team were suspects because they resented losing Wallace. Wallace was the prime suspect because he may have been angry about having detention. Rachel’s brother, Dylan, was the real culprit. He idolized Wallace and was hurt and angry at the play because Wallace wasn’t on it, and was even angrier when Wallace CHOSE to go to the play.

Question 10

What changes were made to the play because of Wallace’s suggestions?

Answer 10

• The script’s lines were rewritten to sound more realistic.
• Music was added by a local rock band.
• They skated on rollerblades.
• They added a mechanical/remote-controlled dog.
• The dog lived (changing the ending)
• There were cheerleaders.
• Rap was added to one person’s part.