Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Tales of the Madman Underground features a lot of kids in some very bad situations. Why don't they ask for help? What are they afraid of that makes living in their circumstances better than talking to an adult?
- The book is set in 1973—which means lots of hippies, Nixon, Watergate, Vietnam, civil unrest, and some pretty cool music. How does the historical backdrop influence the story? Would the story have worked if it were set in the present day instead of the past?
- Karl's relationship with his mom is a pretty important part of the book. Why are things so tense between them? Where does the tension come from? How does their relationship change from the beginning of the story to the end?
- In the five days the book's action covers, Karl goes through a lot. Which situations do you think are most significant for his character's development? How does he change as a result of them?
- How have the ways schools deal with students in troubled circumstances changed since the 1970s? Do you think things have gotten better or worse for them? What lessons does the book teach about how adults should relate to teens in bad situations?