1. “The Treasure of Lemon Brown”
By Walter Dean Myers

2. He is failing math, and his father will not let him play basketball.
In the exposition, Greg is angry. What basic situation has caused his anger?
He is failing math, and his father will not let him play basketball.

3. Describe the traits, or personal qualities, of Lemon Brown.
Courageous and wise – he has been through tragedy (deaths of wife and son), yet he does not ask for help from others. He also does not even seem to want help.

4. He is explaining how he ended up penniless and homeless.
Lemon Brown says, “Hard times caught up with me.” What does he mean? Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? Explain your answer.
He is explaining how he ended up penniless and homeless.
Indirect Characterization – we can infer that he is poor but unwilling to pity himself.

5. What conflict do Greg and Lemon Brown face?
Some thugs think Lemon Brown’s treasure is money, so they want to rob him.

6. How do Greg and Lemon Brown behave at the climax of the story?
They confront the thugs.
Greg howls and Lemon hurls himself down the stairs.
They scare the robbers away.

7. What might be the theme of “The Treasure of Lemon Brown”?
A treasure does not necessarily have financial value, but it can be of great personal or emotional value.
Lemon Brown’s treasure was not monetary, but it was something dear to his heart.

8. Is the theme you stated universal? Explain.
Universal – many people understand that the things of greatest value often do not have monetary value.

9. Indirect Characterization Speech Thoughts Effect on Others Actions
You are reading a short story. In it the author uses speech and actions to tell you about the main character, the person, or animal who is at the center of the story. Is the author using direct or indirect characterization? Explain.
Indirect Characterization
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on Others
Actions
Looks

10. The theme of a story is its central message
The theme of a story is its central message. You have determined the theme of the short story you are reading. How can you tell if it is a universal theme?
It will be the same message about life expressed in different time periods and cultures.

11. You are reading a scene in a short story that uses clues to hint at events that happen later. Does the scene include foreshadowing or a flashback? Explain.
FORESHADOWING A flashback is a scene that interrupts the story sequence to reveal past events.

12. When it starts to rain in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” Greg enters an abandoned building. Why does he go there instead of going home?
He does not want to study, and he does not want to hear his father’s lecture.

13. When Lemon Brown shows Greg his treasure in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” Greg is surprised. He does not think the “treasure” is valuable. According to Lemon Brown, why is it valuable to him? Cite two reasons.
The old harmonica and newspaper clippings are important to him because they represent his success in life. They are also special because his son had also treated them like treasures.

14. When Greg first meets Lemon Brown in “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” he forms an opinion of him. By the end of the story, that opinion has changed. How does Greg’s opinion change? Cite two details from the story to support your answer.
Beginning – Greg was afraid of him, but then realized he was harmless Later – Greg admires Lemon after facing the thugs End – Greg respects Lemon after learning of his treasures

15. In this chart, list four of the main events that make up the plot of “The Treasure of Lemon Brown.” Then, on the line below, state whether you think the conflict was resolved successfully or unsuccessfully, and briefly explain why.
Exposition – Harlem, NY / apartment / abandoned tenement Main Conflict – Greg’s father will not allow him to play basketball because of his failing math grade Climax – Greg and Lemon face the thugs, and then Lemon reveals his treasure Resolution – Greg develops a new appreciation for his dad

16. At the end of “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” Greg decides not to tell his father about Lemon Brown. What is the most likely reason for his decision?
He understands that Brown wants to be left alone, and Greg wants to respect his privacy.

17. At the end of “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” Greg smiles
At the end of “The Treasure of Lemon Brown,” Greg smiles. Why does he smile? Cite two details from the story to support your answer.
He realizes his father lectures him because he cares and he wants to teach Greg the value of hard work.