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?

THE WILD ROBOT - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

1.     How does Roz arrive at the island?

2.     In the story, we learn robots “don’t really feel emotions,” but Roz feels something. What does she feel? How do Roz’s feelings compare with how animals and people experience emotions?

3.     What does she has to do to get herself acquainted with her new surrounding?

4.     Roz has to use many skills to survive, what do you think were her best survivor skills?

5.     Toward the beginning of her time on the island, the animals see Roz as a monster. What change their attitude toward her?

6.     Why do the young bears, Nettle and Thorn, attack Roz? Why does Roz save Thorn?

7.     How does Roz become a mother?

8.     One of the other gosling moms said “You’ll never be the perfect mother so just do the best you can.” How was this advice helpful and true?

9.     Why does Roz need Brightbill and much as Brightbill needs Roz?

10.  How does Roz feel when Brightbill flies away for the migration?

11. How would you feel if you were Roz when Brightbill flew away?

12. Thinking about her purpose in life, Roz says, “Perhaps I am simply meant to help others.” In what ways does Roz help others? How do the animals help Roz? How is asking for help an act of courage?

13. What does Roz mean when she thanks her friends and family for teaching her “how to live”?

14. Who were the RECOS? What happened to them?

15. Why do the island animals come to Roz’s defense? 

16. Why does Roz decide to leave the island?

17. Do you like the ending of the book? If you were the author how would you end the story?

18. From 1-5, how many stars would you rate the book? Can you can what would happen in the next book? 

Because of Winn-Dixie - Discussion questions

 

 

1.     How did Opal become Winn-Dixie’s owner?

2.     Describe Winn-Dixie. If you meet a stray dog like Winn Dixie, what would you do?

3.     How did Opal convince her dad she needed to keep Winn-Dixie? 

4.     Why doesn’t Opal know very much about her mother? Why do you think Opal’s mother left? 

5.     What happened when the preacher and Opal left Winn-Dixie home? What happened when Opal brought Winn-Dixie into the church?

6.     Who was Opal’s first friend in Naomi?

7.     What did Miss Franny think Winn-Dixie was as he looked in the window of the library? Why was Miss Franny so worried about seeing a bear? 

8.     What plan did Opal come up to pay for the collar and leash? 

9.     Why did Opal call Stevie and Dunlap call Bald Headed baby?

10. What does it mean to have a green thumb? Do you have a green thumb?

11. How did Winn-Dixie behave during the thunderstorm? 

12. What was Otis doing in the pet store when Opal arrived early to work?

13. Why did Opal enjoy going over to Gloria Dump‘s house so much? What did she do there to help Gloria Dump?

14. Describe Miss Franny’s great grandfather’s experience of fighting in the war? What did he find after walking home from the war? 

15. What did Miss Franny’s great grandfather do with his life after the war? What’s the secret ingredient of the candy Miss Franny gave the girls?

16. Why did Opal first think Otis was a criminal? Why did Otis go to jail?  

17. How did Opal come up with the idea to have a party and invite her friends?

18. Who were invited to the party? What kind of sandwiches did Gloria and Opal make for the party?

19. What happened when the weather turn into the rainstorm?

20. Where had Winn-Dixie been during the thunderstorm? What made Winn Dixie go out of the hiding place? 

21. Do you like the ending of the book? If you was the author, how would you end the book? 

22. Do you like the book? How many stars would you rate the book? 

Spy School - Discussion Questions

 

1.     Who is Ben Ripley? What happens when Ben come home from school?

2.     What is Ben’s first impression of Alexander Hale? If you were Ben would you join Spy school?

3.     How do Ben meet Erica Hale? How do their interactions with Ben increase the drama in the story?

4.     What is SACSA exam? Does Ben ace this exam?

5.     How does Ben fight back the assassin?

6.     What is the real reason Ben is chosen to join the CIA?

7.     If you were Ben would you go home or continue to be at the school? 

8.     The author uses the word espionage throughout the novel. For example, Ben is recruited to the Academy of Espionage. What is espionage?

9.     Who is Ben’s best friend at home? Compare and contrast Ben’s reputation at home and at Spy School.

10. Chapter 14 is titled “Provocation.” What does provocation mean? Why does Erica ask Ben provoke the principal?

11. What is Operation Jackhammer?

12. How does the development of Professor Crandall’s character help to shape the theme of the novel? What is the theme of the novel?

13. How does Ben find the mole? How does Murray Hill’s character manipulate the reader?

14. What is SPYDER? Why is SPYDER one step ahead of Ben and Erica? If you were Ben would you join SPYDER organization and become a double agent?

15. Why does Murray set the bomb at that location and at that time?

16. How does Ben stop the bomb? Who did actually defuse the bomb?

17. Is Ben a good shooter? How does he defeat Murray Hill?

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

My Side of the Mountain - Discussion Questions

 

1.     Why do you think Sam is drawn so strongly to his great-grandfather's land?

2.     Why don't his parents search for him and try to bring him home?

3.     Why does Sam say that fire is his weapon and that with fire he can "conquer the Catskills"?

4.     How does Sam find the Gribley Farm? Who helps him?

5.     What do you think of Sam’s tree house? If you was Sam what kind of shelter would you make?

6. Why does Sam lie to the strawberry-picking woman? Do you think it was the right thing to do? Why or why not?

7.   How does Sam find Frightful?  Do you think it was mean of Sam to take Frightful from her mother?

8. Sam tells the reader he was “too frightened to move” when the weasel “The Baron” burst out of the trap. How do you think you would have reacted in a similar situation?

9. Why does Sam think it is okay to take the hunter’s deer?

10. What is Sam trying to train Frightful to do? Do you think he will succeed?

11. How does Sam discover that his diet is not providing him with balanced nutrition?

12. What does Sam do to survive through the winter in the mountain?

13. How does Bando get his nick name? Who is actually Bando?

14. Who is Matt Spell? How does Matt know Sam is the wild boy?

15. Is Sam happy that Matt and Bando want to make a guesthouse? Why?

16. Does Sam seem satisfied with the new arrangement at the end of the book?

17. What do you think Sam will do next?

18. Do you like the book? Do you want to run away after reading the book? How many stars would you rate the book?