Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Why would an Open Mike poetry reading encourage so many kids to share their innermost thoughts and feelings? Would creating music or painting pictures have the same effect?
- Which student from Mr. Ward's class did you most identity with? Who did you have the hardest time connecting with?
- Why do you think the author chose Tyrone as the most prominent narrator in the story?
- How would this book be different if it didn't include the students' poems after each chapter?
- Why do you think Mr. Ward never gets his own chapter in the story?
- What do you think will happen to the students in Mr. Ward's class after high school? Will all their dreams come true? Why or why not?
- How would this book be different if it were set in another city? Another state? Another country?
- What do you think will happen in Mr. Ward's class next year?
- Do you see parallels between any of the students in the book? Which ones?