Want to read a little more of “Porch Music?” In the novel, cousins Janie and Buster are best friends. They’re thirteen, and in Janie’s eyes, the gender divide becomes more apparent. She narrates this passage. Do you agree with Janie in the excerpt below?
“Let’s go,” Buster says. We hop into Ma’s coupe and follow them to the fishing hole. Maggie drives ahead of us, alone in her Buick.
“Buster, why are we going to the fishing hole without any poles?”
“I ain’t got an answer for that one, Janie.” Buster shrugs his shoulders and rolls his eyes.
Boys don’t ask enough questions. They charge ahead, even when they don’t know what they’re doing.