A List of Cages

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-12

Reading Check

1. What problems does Julian face while he is at school?

2. What does Julian keep in a steel trunk?

3. What is Adam’s relationship with Julian?

4. What lie does Russell tell Julian that is eventually believed by Julian?

5. How is Adam responsible for Julian?

6. What is the item Russell asks Julian to fetch when he has done something that displeases Russell?

7. Where does Julian eat lunch?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What are Julian’s biggest fears and is there any justification for them? 

2. Compare what Julian is like before and after he lives with Russell. Why do you think Julian has changed?

3. What is the significance of the Elian Mariner books?

Paired Resource

“Wired for Danger: The Effects of Childhood Trauma on the Brain”

• This 5-minute video explains the effects of long-term trauma on the brain.
• What are some possible results of the trauma Julian is suffering from? What form of stress was Julian suffering from when he lived with Adam? What form was he suffering from after he moved in with Russell?

Chapters 13-26

Reading Check

1. What question does Julian plan to answer but then not have the chance to?

2. What does Adam invite Julian to do?

3. Which friend of Adam’s tries to include Julian?

4. What is surprising about Julian’s house?

5. What does Russell place under a shell after beating Julian?

6. Why is Julian worried when Adam visits his house?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Compare Adam’s relationship with his friends and mother to Julian’s relationship with Russell.

2. What is the significance of the girls trying to dress Julian at Emerald’s party?

Paired Resource

“Having a Best Friend in Your Teenage Years Could Benefit You For Life”

• This article from NPR examines the benefits of friendships in adolescent years.
• What are the benefits of friendship for an adolescent? How has Julian benefitted from his new friendships?

Chapters 27-39

Reading Check

1. Who is Brett? 

2. What special visit do Julian and Adam make?

3. Why does Miss West cry when Julian asks if she is okay?

4. Why does Adam decide not to call the police after Julian’s face is injured?

5. Julian observes that Miss West’s unhappiness ricochets. What does he say ricochets from Adam?

6. What does Adam force Julian to do after Julian loses his part in the play?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Julian feel sorry for Russell?

2. What surprising thing does Charlie do for Julian and what is likely the reason he does it?

Paired Resource

“Why Children May be Keeping Quiet About Abuse”

• Read with sensitivity in mind. This article examines some of the reasons abuse goes unreported.
• What are some of the reasons child abuse is unreported? How might we connect this information to the theme of False Appearances and Deceit in the novel?

Chapters 40-54

Reading Check

1. How does Russell convince Julian to get into the trunk?

2. What does Russell tell the school to prevent others from knowing where Julian is?

3. How is Julian discovered in the trunk?

4. Why does Julian tell Carter she is not needed?

5. Where did Julian learn to think about Elian Mariner and why is Adam sad about this?

6. Why is Adam angry with Emerald at the hospital?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What is significant about Julian’s statement that he can no longer see any stars?

2. How does Russell verbally abuse Julian?

Paired Resource

“Ignoring Your Emotions Is Bad for Your Health. Here's What to Do About It”

• This article explains some of the physical consequences ignoring emotions can have on health.
• What are the symptoms of ignoring emotions and how do they relate to how Julian feels? How is this tied to the theme of Fantasy?

Chapters 55-72

Reading Check

1. Why is Adam angry at Emerald?

2. How does Carter convince Julian to go back to school?

3. How is Russell paying his bills?

4. What is Julian’s list of cages?

5. What does Adam discover at Julian’s house?

6. Why does Adam feel overwhelmed when Julian moves in?

7. What happens to Russell at Adam’s graduation party?

8. What observation does Julian make about the stars at his birthday party?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Given Julian’s behavior in the novel, why do you think he doesn’t want to paint his new bedroom?

2. How has Adam changed after his experiences with Julian’s abuse?

Recommended Next Reads

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

• This novel is about two boys who develop a relationship after they meet each other through foster care.
• Shared topics include grief, abuse, foster care, coming of age, and friendship.
• Shared themes include False Appearances and Mean Versus Unhappy People.
• Orbiting Jupiter on SuperSummary

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

• This novel is about a girl struggling with mental illness who feels she must pretend to be something she isn’t to fit in at school.
• Shared topics include social support, friendship, and coming of age.
• A shared theme is False Appearances and Deceit.
• Every Last Word on Super Summary