Just+Another+Hero+by+Sharon+Draper


 * 1. The novel opens with a scene of violence--cruel mistreatment of a weaker student by a group of bullies. How does this help capture the reader's attention? What __predictions__ can the reader make about Arielle and Osrick? Compare those predictions to what really happens at the end of the novel. ||
 * 2. Why doesn't Arielle report the abuse of Osrick? What would you have done in the same situation? ||
 * 3. Arielle seems to be a social outsider as well as Osrick, although she used to hang with all the popular kids in school. What had caused this? How did she feel about it? What do you think could be done about the situation? ||
 * 4. Describe Arielle's home life. Compare the outward luxury of her home with the inner tensions. How does she feel about her stepfather? How does she feel about her mother's relationship with Chad? ||
 * ‍‍5. Chad is exerts extreme control over Arielle and her mother. Do you consider him to be abusive? Where do you draw the line between control and abuse? Would you be willing to live in such a household if you were given a large allowance and a lovely home? ‍‍ ||
 * 6. How did Kofi get addicted to prescription pain pills? How realistic is his addiction? How does his home life contribute to his stress? Describe his relationship with his parents. ||
 * 7. Describe Mrs. Witherspoon. What makes her a great teacher? ||
 * 8. Why does the return of Eddie upset Dana? How does Kofi respond and why? What predictions can you make about Eddie, Kofi, and Dana? ||
 * 9. The school is plagued by someone who keeps pulling the fire __alarm__ as well as a thief. What indications are given that the same person is responsible for both? ||
 * 10. Why is Arielle so upset about the theft of her __iPhone__? How does the loss of the phone help her re-gain some friendships? ||
 * 11. How is Eddie able to convince the younger boys that juvenile detention was pleasant? Why do you think they believed him? What is Kofi's response? ||
 * 12. Because of the damage to her __car__, Arielle's mother is devastated. What does this tell you about her relationship with her husband? Chad places Arielle's mom on punishment. Discuss your feelings about one adult placing another adult on punishment. ||
 * 13. Describe the relationship between Dana and Kofi. How does she react to his drug use, his college plans, and his family situation? What might have been Kofi's future without Dana in his life? ||
 * 14. How successful is November's re-integration into high school life? What difficulties and challenges does she face? ||
 * 15. Describe what Chad did to the house Arielle lived in. How did it make you feel? How does she react? How would you react to such a thing? ||
 * 16. As she adjusts to living in a homeless shelter, how has Arielle changed, both personally and socially, from the beginning of the book to this point? ||
 * 17. How is Osrick able to figure out who the thief is? How do he and Arielle work together? Why doesn't he trust her to tell her everything he knows? ||
 * 18. Describe the scene with the blue light. Who do you suspect to be the thief at the beginning of the scene? How surprising is it when the real thief is revealed? What connection do you predict between the thief and the person who is pulling the __fire alarm__? ||
 * 19. Describe the events upstairs in the classroom during the shooting and compare the events downstairs as people watch and worry and speculate. Why are both points of view necessary? ||
 * 20. ‍Describe the heroic events in the final confrontation with Jack. Do you consider Eddie to be a hero? Explain why or why not. Can a negative character be considered a hero? Explain. ‍ ||