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? 

 

TRULY DEVIOUS - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

1.     What do you know about Ellingham Academy?  

2.     Why was Steve Bell very excited to join Ellingham Academy?

3.     Would you want to go there if you were invited?

4.     What house Steve is assigned to? Who are her friends? Who are her housemates?

5.     Who was the first victim at Ellingham Academy? What do you know about her?

6.     Who does everyone have to thank at the beginning of every school year? Why?

7.     Who did Albert Ellingham call after he got the ransom call? Why?

8.     What do you think of Steve and David’s relationship?

9.     What project does Hayes Major ask Steve do with her?

10. Who is Hayes? What happens to him?

11. Why do Steve’s parents want her to leave Ellingham Academy? What (who) makes them change their mind?  

12. What are the clues that Steve found to link Ellie (Element) to Hayes’ case?  What happens to Ellie?

13. What does Steve find in Ellie’s room?

14. Who is really David’s father? Why does David lie to Steve about his father?

15. At the end of the book can you guess who Truly Devious was?

16. How did you feel about the ending of the book?

17. Despite knowing it is a series, do you wish more plot lines had been tied up or received more closure? 

18. Do you like the book? Would you like to read the next book in the series? How many stars would you rate the book? 

 

 

PERFECT ON PAPER - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

 

1.     The premise of Perfect on Paper is centered on Darcy’s secret role: as the agony aunt who gives anonymous advice to those who post letters through Locker 89. Do you believe it’s ethical to offer advice on people’s love lives? If yes or no, why?

2.     Each chapter of Perfect on Paper begins with a letter from Locker 89 or a snippet from Darcy’s notebook. Why do you think the author has chosen to frame the narrative in this way?

3.     How did Darcy and Alexander (Brougham) meet? If you were Darcy would you work for Brougham?

4.     Why didn’t Darcy tell Brooke, who was her best friend (and crush) about Locker 89?

5.     Through Raina’s letter posted to Locker 89 Darcy finds out about her secret (that she rigged the student body elections to beat Brooke) and subsequently tells Brooke at a party while Brooke and Raina are dating. What do you think about Darcy’s decision to tell Brooke?

6.     If you were Darcy, would you tell Brooke? If yes or no, why?

7.     What do you think of Brougham? Would you rather he get back to his ex-girlfriend?

8.     What make Darcy attract to Brougham?

9.     What makes Brougham attract to Darcy? 

10. Briefly describe the journey that bring Brougham and Darcy together.

11. Are you glad that Darcy will find a way to continue her love consulting business?

12. Would you wish someone from your school would run a similar “Locker 89” service? 

13. What is (are) your favorite character(s)?

14. What do you think of the way the author explores sexuality and bisexuality in the novel? Compare with other books you read about LGBTQ? 

15. Do you like the ending? If you were the author, would you want to change any details in the book?

16. Would you recommend the book to a friend? From 1-5, how many stars would you rate the book? 

 

DEAR EVAN HANSEN - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

 

1.     Who is Evan Hansen? Why did Dr. Sherman ask him to write a letter to himself?

2.     Why does Evan have problem to ask his classmates to sign his cast? Have you ever signed a cast for a friend? Share your experience.

3.     How dose Connor get hold of Evan’s letter? If you were Evan would you ask to have your letter back?

4.     Are you angry with Evan for not telling the truth about the letter? Are there benefits to perpetuating the lie?

5.     How does Evan’s rambling inner monologue change over the course of the novel? How does it reflect his mental state?

6.     Social media is an integral part of our daily lives, but it plays an especially major role in this story. In what ways does it positively impact the characters? How does it have a negative effect?

7.     How is Zoe’s grief over Connor’s death and her mourning process different than the rest of her family’s? How does she process her mixed emotions and complicated relationship with her brother?

8.     Why do people respond to The Connor Project when they don’t know any of the people involved? Why does it become a phenomenon? Can you think of a real-life example of something similar?

9.     Evan has complicated relationships with everyone, from his mother to his classmates, but what does that say about relationships in general? Aren’t all relationships complicated?

10. Why do simple lies sometimes spiral out of control? Why do people who tell lies believe that lying is often less damaging than the truth?

11. What kind of relief comes with telling the truth, even if the truth is painful? If you were Evan, would you tell the truth?

12. Evan’s mother tells him, “No parent knows what their kid is really up to. . . . We’re all just doing the best we can” (p. 374). Do you agree with her statement?  Why or why not?

13. What kind of resolution is reached at the end? Why is it important that everything isn’t neatly resolved?

14. Today is going to be an amazing day. Why?