A Hero Ain't Nothin But A Sandwich

Summary

Thirteen-year-old Benjie is a likeable protagonist with a big problem. Although he doesn't see the danger, he is becoming a heroin addict. The people who care about Benjie - his family, his teachers, and his friends - try to help him recognize and face his problem. Benjie is in conflict with his step-father who he believes is try to take him away from his mother. Ultimately, his stepfather saves his life and helps him get off drugs.

Instructional Activities

• Make a glossay of slang terms used by Benjie and others in the story.

• Science: Research addiction and make a video report. What causes addiction? How and why do chemicals affect our brains?

• Make posters warning about addictive drugs.

• Collect articles from newspapers and magazines about drug addiction. Make a resource book.

• Music: write a song or a rap about Benjie's experiences.

• Make a two-column chart showing what was really happening and what Benjie thought was happening while his mind was clouded by the heroin.

Study Questions (from http://theliterarylink.com )

1. What is significant about the narrative format of this book? How does its form contribute to its content? Look at Childress's use of color as a theatrical element.

2. Benjie mentions in the first chapter that he does not "dig stealin," yet he also admits he steals. He says that he is not hooked on drugs, but can we believe him. Discuss the progression of his lying to himself and how it influences his choices. Show some examples to prove your point.

3. Look at the reasons that Benjie's grandmother put a lock on her door. Is she justified? How does her action affect Benjie. Are there other "invisible" locks in the novel?

4. Is Butler a good "father figure" for Benjie? Examine his change in character during the course of the novel.

5. What is the meaning of the book's title?

6. Look at one small incident and see how many different viewpoints you can show from various characters in the novel. A theatrical theater-in-the-round?

7. Look carefully at the ending. Will Benjie show up? Reread Benjie's own last narrative for clues. Examine details in the story to support your conclusion.

8. The novel mentions several leaders from the past: Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Who are these leaders? What has each added to our knowledge of our culture?

9. Mr. Cohen says, "You can bee somebody if you want to," and Benjie complains, "How does he know I'm not somebody right now?" What inherent differences are indicated by this question and its response?

10. Discuss the nature of responsibility for one's actions and the Benjie's world of drugs. Are these problems linked to a certain economic class in society? "If you into somethin', be in it." Discuss your answers.

Web Resources