General Question 8

Do you believe in fate; for instance, was fate the reason Luke was unable to save Mr. Bernoffski?

Question -- Chapter 8

In the final paragraph of the chapter, Luke says that those teenagers of the “male variety” would say “everything was cool” even if it wasn’t. Can you explain his statement? Why does he limit his statement to males?

General Question 7

Many novels appeal to a more specific audience. Would you agree that this novel appeals to adolescents, parents and teachers equally? Why or why not?

Chapter 7 Question

What is it about adolescents, do you think, that made the 200 “Slokum Sucks” t-shirts sell out in one hour? Why do you think the older generation (for example, the principal, Luke’s mother) were unhappy about that?

General Question 6

Do you find it difficult to believe that a forty-something Canadian woman from Ottawa so convincingly created the voice of a teenage boy from a small town in the States? Why or why not?

Chapter 6 Question

Luke says “anger – the only emotion I was really good at.” How many adolescents to you think feel this way and why?

General Question 5

What do you think of Proulx’s inclusion of pop culture references (for example, The Wizard of Oz, That ‘70s Show, the Chili Peppers, Pokemon cards, Nirvana, the Foo Fighters, Tommy Hilfiger)? How might these references affect future readers, say 10 or 15 years from now? Consider her reference to the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? that plays a large and important role in Chapter 16.

Chapter 5 Question

Do you think Luke’s treatment of his mother, who wants Luke to talk to his uncle, is justified? Why or why not?