Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park - Discussion Questions

 

 

1.     While they are at his grandmother’s house saying goodbye before the trip, Jake receives a gift that his deceased grandfather arranged for him. What is it? How does Jake get this gift?

2.     Are you surprised to find the book with two parallel stories – one from the present and one from 1880?   Who was Abe? Why did he was captured?  How did he escape?

3.     Why does Jake want to find the old cabin? Who helps Jake to find it? 

4.     Who does Jake meet at the old cabin? What does Jake feel after the meeting with this person and get the package from him?

5.     Who are Wes and Amber? Why doesn’t Jake at first want to share this special hunt with them?

6.     Why do their parents let them go hiking by themselves? If your parents let you do the same, would you feel thrilled or nervous?

7.     What are the three biggest dangers when hiking?

8.     Why does Jake want to go to Emerald Lake? What do Jake and his friends find there? 

9.     What makes Jake decide to share his secret with Wes and Amber?

10. The next clue leads them to Willow Park and they will need to ride their bikes 15 miles up hill to get there. Can they make it and how? If you were them would you do differently?

11. What do Jake and his friends find in Willow Park?

12. Because of Jake, they get back late and their parents are worried and don’t want them to continue their adventure. But then they change their mind. Why?

13. In the story in 1880, what happened to the old spearhead Abe found?

14. What happens at the Twin Owls? What would you do if you were in their situation?

15. What is the clue they find at the Twin Owls? 

16. Who was Abe?  What do you know about the spearhead Abe found?

17. Can you guess what will happen to Jake, Wes and Amber in the next book?

18. Do you like the book? From one to five, how many stars would you rate the book? 

THE FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER - QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

 

 

1.     Daunis is grieving at the beginning of the book, both the loss of her uncle and her grandmother's illness. How does Daunis let her grief and her guilt guide her decisions?

2.     Do you think Daunis’ decision to stay home and attend college locally is a wise one

 3. Why does Lily want to break up with Travis? What happens to Lily? 

4.     What do you think of Daunis’ decision to become the FBI’s confidential informant? If you were Daunis would you do the same?

 5. What do you think of Jamie as a character? Discuss Jamie and Daunis’ relationship.

6.     How does Daunis find her uncle’s last journal?  Who is the “light bulb” in his journal represents?

7.     Some of the most powerful scenes in the book occur in moments of ceremony and ritual. Discuss the significance of this. 

8.     How does Daunis learn who to trust? Do you think there are times where her trust is misplaced? Discuss her motivations.

9.     What does Mike say he will do if Daunis does not cook meth for them? If you were Daunis what would you do?

10. Do you like the way Jamie and Daunis’ relationship unfolded and how it ended?

11. Can you guess before the reveal that Levi is a part of the murders and the drug ring? What do you think about his sibling relationship with Daunis?

12. Who appears to be the leader in the drug ring?  Levi and Stormy are gonna sit in jail, while Mike gets away with everything. Do you think it’s fair?

13. Aunt Teddie talks about Blanket Parties as a form of tribal women’s justice because the justice system often fails them. Do you agree with this practice? Do you think Daunis went ahead with the Blanket Party? 

14. There was also the ceremony that Daunis is invited to at the end of the book for women who have been assaulted, and she’s saddened to learn that many of the women she loves have long been a part of this group. How did this part make you feel?

15. The end of the book finds Daunis in a different place, pursuing a different future than she first envisioned. Why do you think she decided to shift her focus? What do you think about her new path?

 

 

BETTER THAN THE MOVIES - Discussion Questions

 

1.     Who is Liz Buxbaum? What makes her to have a passion for romance movies? Are you a fan of romance movies? Why or why not?

2.     Describe Wes Bennet. What makes Liz believe her rom-com hero could not be Wes Bennet?

3.     What happens when Liz’s childhood crush, Michael, returns to town after seven years?

4.     Why does Liz’s best friend Jocelyn (Joss) warns her about romanticizing Michael? What happens next?

5.     Why has Liz despised Laney? If you were Liz would you make friend with Laney?

6.     What help does Liz asks Wes to do in exchange for the parking spot?

7.     Discuss about Liz’s scheme to make Michael think Wes has feelings for Liz?

8.     If you were Wes, would you help Liz?

9.     Why does Liz keep lying to Joss? What would you do if you know your best friend lie to you?

10.Who is Helena? Why does Liz have a hard time to accept her?

11.Why makes Helena say “The Universe likes Wes better”? Do you agree with her?

12.What Liz realize when she is alone with Michael in his father’s music room? If you were Liz which boy would you fall for?

13.What happens when they drive home from Michael’s party?

14.If you were Liz would you accept accepts Michael’s promposal after kissing Web?

15.After making amends with Joss and Helena and pushing Michael to finally be with Laney, what is the grand gesture Liz do to go after Wes?

16.Do you like the ending? If you were the author would you end the story differently? 

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY - Discussion Questions

 

 

1.     What were your initial expectations of The Summer I Turned Pretty based on its title? 

2.     What do you think of the relationship between Belly and her brother? Does their behavior toward each other feel real to you?

3.     The Summer I Turned Pretty alternates between past and present timelines. How did this storytelling technique help your understanding of the characters and their relationships?

4.     How do you think her parents’ divorce affected Belly?

5.     Does Belly’s crush on Conrad feel real?

6.     Is Belly an idiot when she shoots down Jerimiah?

7.     Why would Taylor go after Conrad if she thinks Belly likes him? How would you feel if your best friend go after your love interest?

8.     Discuss Belly’s love interests. How did their contrasting personalities affect Belly’s choices and her overall growth as a character?

9.     Do you find yourself rooting for one of Belly’s love interests over the other? Why or why not?

10. Do the fight between the brothers seem believable?

11. Do you find the theme of summer love and teenage emotions realistic? Does it remind you of your own experiences or bring back any memories?

12. The Summer I Turned Pretty delves into the complexities of family relationships. Which family dynamics stood out to you the most, and why?

13. Are there any instances in the story where you disagreed with a character’s choices or actions?

14. What do you think of the ending?

15. How would you answer this question, “Would you rather live one perfect day over and over or live your life with no perfect days but just decent ones?”

16. Would you recommend “The Summer I Turned Pretty” to others? Why or why not? Who do you think would enjoy this book the most?

 

 

THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER - Discussion Questions

 

 

1.     Describe Mallory, what do you know about her?

2.     Describe Rider, what do you know about him?

3.     What kind of a foster home both Rider and Mallory lived with when they were young?

4.     At the foster home, how did Rider and Mallory handle the abuse differently?

5.     Why did Mallory and Rider get separated from each other?  

6.     Are you happy that Mallory and Rider find each other again? Explain

7.     Why do Carl and Rosa, Mallory’s adopted parents become nervous when they know Mallory has found Rider?

8.     What is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Both Mallory and Rider are suffer from PTSD how differently do they deal with this disorder? 

9.     How does Rider help Mallory find her voice in school?

10. What do you think when Mallory and Rider fall in love with each other? Do you feel bad for Paige?

11.  After witnessing Jayden murdered, how does Mallory and Rider’s relationship change?

12.  Do you think Carl and Rosa are overreacting when they ask Mallory to stop seeing Rider?

13. At first, Mallory views Rider merely as a White Knight figure but she ultimately realizes he has self-destructive tendencies and doesn’t see his own self-worth, what does she do to help him?

14. What is (are) your favorite detail(s) in the book? 

15. Do you like the ending? If you were the author, how would you end the story? 

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

 

1.     Why do you think Kya’s mother leaves in the beginning? Do you agree with her decision?

2.     Why does Kya choose not to go back to school? Do you think she makes the wrong decision?

3.     After Jodie and Pa leave Kya alone, she becomes close to Jumpin’ and Mabel. Why are these two adults drawn to Kya?

4.     Do you agree with Jumpin’s decision to protect Kya from social services (p. 110) and to encourage her to live alone in the marsh? Why or why not?

5.     What would you do if you were Kya? Would you live alone in the marsh or would you seek help from the society? 

6.     Discuss Kya’s relationship with Tate. How does Tate’s understanding of Kya change over time? Is Tate a good partner for Kya? Why or why not?

7.     Why does Tate choose not to get back to Kya when he is in college? If you were Tate would you do the same? Why or why not?

8.     Is Chase a different kind of man than Tate? What make Kya have a relationship with Chase? What makes Chase being attracted to Kya?

9.     Chase didn’t seem to care much for Kya. Indeed, he tried to rape her. And yet, he continued to wear the shell necklace that she made for him. Did he actually care for her?

10. “Female fireflies draw in strange males with dishonest signals and eat them; mantis females devour their own mates. Female insects, Kya thought, know how to deal with their lovers.” How does this revelation affect how Kya chooses to deal with both Tate and Chase?

11. Kya thinks “Most of what she knew, she’d learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would. Do you agree with her philosophy?

12. Were you surprised by the verdict in the Chase’s murder trial? Why or why not?

13. Do you believe that Kya killed Chase? Was it justified? Do you think Kya is a good person?

14. Do you agree with Tate’s final decision? Why or why not?

15. Are you surprised to know that Kya were the poet Amanda Hamilton?

16.  Do you like the ending? If you were the author how would you end the story?

17. The author Delia Owens has said, “Kya is every little girl and one in a million. Kya is all of us.” Did you identify with Kya? If so, how?

18. Do you like the book? From 1 to 5 how many stars would you rate the book?