Paul

What things are changing in Paul's life? How is Paul changing?

Fitting In

Why do you think that Joey is having such a hard time fitting in at Tangerine? What does Paul figure out about Joey at the end of today's reading?

New Team

Would you like to be on the Tangerine Middle team if you were in Paul's position? Why or why not? Also, predict what is going to happen next in the story.

What would you do?

When Paul and Joey realize what is happening they run to the middle of the sink hole to help form a human chain in order to help their fellow students out of the hole. If you were in his position, standing just outside the doors of the school, would you run to help or would you run for safety?

New Kid

Paul is self-conscious about his bad eye sight and does not want to be treated differently at his new school. He feels embarrassed that someone was assigned to show him around and he refuses her help because he is afraid of what others will think.

Have you ever had to move to a new town and go to a new school? Think about your first day at the new school or even your first day in middle school. What was something you thought was most embarrassing or something that was especially difficult for you. Also, what is the best way to fit in at a new school?

Respond to ALL questions!

Seedfolks

Who are the seedfolks in this book and why? Also, what is your opinion of the book overall?

Your Garden

If you lived in this neighborhood what would you grow in the lot? Why?

Paradise

Is the garden bringing the people in the neighborhood together?

A Little Child...

What do you think Wendell's statement about Kim means? (A little child shall lead them...) on page 15.

The End

PART ONE: Who do you think is mostly responsible for Hannah's suicide?

PART TWO: What are your thoughts about the book after finishing it?

Letting Go

What did Hannah mean when she said, "...but I was using you. I needed you, so I could let go of me, completely." (pg 265)

Jenny

What do you think of Jenny? Why do you think this event contributed to Hannah's suicide?

One of these things is not like the others....

What makes this story different from all the other stories that Hannah has told so far?

Clay's Story

Was it fair of Hannah to put Clay's name on the list? Why or why not?

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

So far in the tapes Hannah has not mentioned Clay's name. Clay does not even know what he did to become one of the 13 reasons why Hannah commited suicide. However, Clay has still felt guilty many times so far as he listens to the tapes. Why does Clay feel guilty/responsible so far?

Taboo Subject

Without knowing why the person would want to commit suicide the students in Hannah's class claimed it would be difficult to help. They also wanted to know who the person was who submitted the topic when with all other topics it hadn't mattered. Why do you think none of the students were willing to discuss suicide openly without knowing specifics?

Excuse or not?

         Marcus has previously said that he did nothing to Hannah and that she was simply looking for an excuse to kill herself. Now that you know his story do you think that Marcus contributed to Hannah's sucide? How? Also, we have now heard the stories of six people on Hannah's list. At the end of Marcus' story (the sixth) Hannah says for the first time that she has started thinking about disappearing, i.e. suicide. Do you think it is possible that these experiences could actually lead someone to start thinking about killing themselves?  Why or why not?

Friend or Foe?

What kind of friend is Courtney? Have you ever been or had a friend like her? Explain.

OPEN POST

What did you think of today's reading? How would you feel if you discovered you had a peeping tom? Why do you think Tyler sent the tapes on even though this is very incriminating evidence?

All Because of a List

"All because of a list."  This quote from Clay refers to the Who's Hot/Who's Not list that was passed around school. The idea here is that the power of suggestion is very strong. In other words, because someone else thinks something is so or says something is so, people believe it. Here is an example: Because the idea that blue-eyed people are better than brown-eyed people is believed by a group of influencial people others will follow and believe the same. The result is that something that is not necesarrily true becomes reality simply because people started believing it and acting on it. Have you ever seen this dynamic before? What were the circumstances? Also, how does the power of suggestion contribute to Hannah's suicide?

Rumor Has It

On page 30 Hannah says, "And everyone knows you can't disprove a rumor." She also says that a rumor started a reputation that others believed in and reacted to. How dangerous are rumors? How important are reputations?

Box of Tapes

If you, like Clay, received this box of tapes would you listen to them or not? Would you send them on or stop the chain of guilt? Validate your response with an explanation.

TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY

Hello Lit. Circle Members!

A new element of our Lit. Circle this year will be this blog spot. As we read our novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher you will get the chance to share your opinions on different topics via this blog. I'm new to blogging so have patience with me!

Mrs. P.