To prepare, here are all of our discussion questions. If you’re nervous about sharing, look over these questions and prepare your response ahead of time!

General Questions

1. Describe an important event in the story and tell why it is important.

2. If you could give the main character some advice, what would you tell him/her?

3. What point of view is the book written in?

4. Think of a new title for one of the stories. 

5. What is an important relationship in the story?

6. Think of a supporting character in the story. How would the book be different if that character didn’t exist?

7. What character is your favorite?

8. Did you absolutely love one of the stories? Why?

9. Did you absolutely HATE one of the stories? Why?

The Night I Won the Right to the Streets

10. Do you think a parent’s #1 job is to protect their child or prepare them for the harsh realities of life?

10. How did the narrator “win” the right to the streets of Memphis?

11. Why does Mrs. Wright try to make Richard laugh when he is hungry?

12. What are 3 lessons that Mrs. Wright teaches Richard throughout this story?

13. Why does Mrs. Wright lock Richard out of the flat?

14. What does it mean to be dispirited?

15. Do you agree with Mrs. Wright’s decision?

16. What would you say to Mrs. Wright?

17. Find a quote that stands out to you. Explain why it’s important!

Scarlet Ibis

18. Is the narrator selfish for helping Doodle learn to be active?

19. If someone does something kind but it’s for selfish reasons, does that negate the kind act?

20. What are the 2 different conflicts in the story?

21. Who’s fault is it that Doodle dies?

22. How are the narrator and Doodle opposite characters?

23. Why is the story called “The Scarlet Ibis”?

24. Sometimes the narrator is mean to Doodle. What does the narrator do that is cruel?

25. Sometimes the narrator is kind to Doodle. What does the narrator do that is kind?

26. Should the narrator receive a consequence for his actions? If so, what should they be?

27. Find a quote that stands out to you. Explain why it’s important!

Harrison Bergeron

28. Situational irony is when what you expect to happen is different than what actually happens. What is ironic about Harrison’s “handicaps”?

29. Remember: people receive handicaps when they are too smart, too funny, too pretty, or too good at something. What is a “handicap” you would receive in this world?

30. What happens to Harrison Bergeron?

31. Look at the language of when Harrison Bergeron is on dancing ceiling. What stands out to you about it?

32. Find a quote that stands out to you. Explain why it’s important!

33. Do you think everyone in a society should be equal? Consider things like universal wage, where everyone would earn the same amount, regardless of the job you do.

Small Avalanches

34.  Find a quote that stands out to you. Explain why it’s important!

35. Should the main character have told her mother the truth about what really happened?

36. Why was Nancy instinctively suspicious of man?

37. Why did Nancy avoid looking at the man?

38. Nancy says a few times that she is embarrassed, but doesn’t know why. Why do you think she was embarrassed?

39. In what ways is the man different than Nancy’s dad and uncle?

40. What conflicting emotions does Nancy feel regarding the man’s attention to her?

41. Nancy repeatedly says that she “doesn’t know why” she feels the way she feels. Why does she repeat this so frequently?

42. How is the mother in this story different from the one in “The Night I Won the Right to the Street”? In what ways is the mother similar?

43. Which mother is better?