Topics for Discussion

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1. Why does Melinda keep her rape a secret? When should she have confided in someone? Who might she have reached out to for help?

2. What does alcohol represent in this novel?

3. How do the ever-changing mascots mirror Melinda's uncertainty? Is she a reflection of her surroundings?

4. What does friendship signify for each character? Do they understand the concept of love? How and why do the dynamics between characters shift? Who do you foresee remaining friends in the future?

5. Why are the foreign exchange students pivotal to the plot and character development?

6. In what ways are Melinda's mother and Heather alike? How do Melinda and Heather exploit each other? Is there a foundation for a genuine friendship between them?

7. How do the cliques and their informal labels symbolize the fragmentation of high school culture? Why is it crucial for each character to be associated with a particular group? Why is exclusion undesirable? Discuss the roles of conformity, independence, assumptions, expectations, ostracism, and exclusion in teenage social systems.

8. Does the literary technique of withholding information about Melinda's experience build tension or frustrate readers? When does Anderson first use a name instead of a pronoun for Melinda's attacker? Does this delay in identification make Andy appear more menacing?

9. How does Melinda's successful resistance against Andy's second attack provide resolution to the plot? Discuss how her minor acts of revenge against Andy, such as writing his name in the bathroom graffiti and warning her former friend about him, foreshadow her recovery. Should she face consequences for vandalizing school property?

10. Are male and female characters in this novel ever portrayed in a stereotypical manner? Is this necessary for their characterization?

11. Why are the weather and changing seasons important to the plot development and tone of the novel? How does dividing the book by grading periods make readers aware of Melinda's mental decline?

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