To participate in the virtual discussion of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, please answer 3 of the following questions by Monday, March 7th.

1. Christopher’s journey to London shows the difficulties he has being on his own. What is most frightening, disturbing, or moving about this section of the novel?

2. Were you confused by Christopher’s odd way of telling a story when you first began the book? Did that frustrate you or draw you into the novel?

3. How did the story help you understand people with autism better?

4. Talk about the relationship between Christopher and his father. Do you think his father does a good job of dealing with his behavior?

5. Talk about Christopher’s relationship with his mother. How do the letters he finds help explain her actions?

6. Is it easier for you to forgive his father or his mother? Why do you think it is so much easier for Christopher to trust his mother than his father? How does that reveal the way Christopher’s mind is different?

To participate in our discussion of So B. It, please answer three of the following questions by Monday, Feb 1st.

1. Heidi’s mama uses only 23 words, but she is often able to show what she wants or how she feels beyond those 23 words. Explain how Mama is able to communicate with Heidi and Bernadette.

2. How do you think things would have turned out differently for Heidi if Bernadette had convinced her not to go to Liberty? Do you think Heidi could have ever been satisfied if she didn’t try to find out about her past? Explain your answer.

3. Why do you think Heidi decides not to stay with Ruby and Roy, but instead to return and live with Bernadette after Mama dies?

4. Imagine you are in Heidi’s place. What would it be like to grow up with Mama and Bernadette? Would you have more or less independence than you have now? What do you think would be challenging and what would be enjoyable?

5. In Liberty, Heidi says she finally understands “there are some things in a person’s life you just can’t know” (p. 221). Explain how she has come to feel this way, as compared to earlier when she says to Bernadette, “A person has a right to know from the beginning” about her life (p. 39).

To Participate in a virtual discussion of Gathering Blue, Please answer three of the following questions by Monday, November 23rd.

1. What is the difference between an artist and a person skilled at a trade? Is Kira a true artist?

2. What could have caused Kira’s village to go from an advanced civilization to a primitive state? Why has the village remained primitive instead of trying to return to it’s former glory?

3. Describe Matt. What is his role in the story? How does he give Kira courage?

4. Are Kira, Thomas, and Jo really free? Why or why not?

5. What do you think happens to Kira after the story ends?

6. Describe The Way. How does this set of rules differ from the laws that govern our society?

We had a great discussion last night about The Schwa Was Here. If you were unable to attend, but would like to participate virtually, please respond to three of the following questions by Monday, October 5th.

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Why does the Schwa agree to be experimented on? Does he have a choice?

How do you feel about Crawley paying Antsy to go out with his granddaughter?

Do you think it is possible to be as invisible as the Schwa is?

 Why is Lexie’s friendship so important to the Schwa? In what ways is she blind to the Schwa? How does her blindness affect the way she interacts with him?

 Does Crawley live up to his reputation as a mean man? How does Antsy feel about him? How does Crawley feel about Antsy? Does this change over the course of the book?

 Why is his mother’s story so important to the Schwa? Is Antsy right to make him hear the truth? Does this information help or hurt the Schwa?

 Is Antsy a good friend to the Schwa? Does he help him or exploit him? Are there times when Antsy could have done more to help the Schwa?

 How are Antsy and Schwa similar? How are they different?

To participate in our discussion of In cold Blood, please respond to three of the following writing prompts by the end of the school day on Monday, March 30th.

Capital Punishment

Perry and Dick

Creative Nonfiction

Nancy Clutter

Motive

Herb Clutter

Setting

Thanks!

Please discuss three of the following themes found in Just Listen. Post your responses by Monday, February 23rd. Thanks!

Sisters

Total Honesty

Secrets

Music

Misunderstandings

Glass Houses

Parent/Child relationships

Friendship

To participate virtually in our discussion of Nothing but the Truth, please use three of the following words or phrases as a jumping off point for elaborating on themes you found in the book. Please respond by the end of the school day on Tuesday. Thanks!

1. School relationships

2. misunderstanding

3. Patriotism

4. Truth

5. Equality

6. Prejudice

To participate in our discussion, please answer all three of the following questions.

1. Cassandra and Simon do not marry by the end of the novel.  What factors lead you to believe that they might or might not do so eventually?

2. Although there are several comic elements in the novel, the situation for all of the characters is rather sad and bleak. Why are each of these characters unhappy?

Cassandra

Rose

Topaz

Mortmain

Stephen

Neal

Simon

3. In your opinion, who comes closest to being happy by the end of the novel?

If you would like to participate virtually in our Catalyst discussion, please answer three of the questions below by Monday, March 31st.

1. Who does kate love most in the world and why?

2. Why does Kate only apply to MIT? What is driving her decision?

3. How do Kate’s attitudes and opinions change by the end of the novel? What do you imagine her doing with her life in the future?

4. Why does Kate run? If running means so much to her, why does she have trouble performing well in her meets?

5. What role does Kate’s dad play in their family? What does he value and why?