Chapter 1Chapter 1

1. Where does Shawn live and 1. Where does Shawn live and what’s special about it?what’s special about it?

2. In chapter one, what’s Shawn’s 2. In chapter one, what’s Shawn’s “good news”? Why is it ironic?“good news”? Why is it ironic?

Chapters 2 and 3Chapters 2 and 3

1. Describe Shawn’s condition and what it does to his 1. Describe Shawn’s condition and what it does to his body.body.

2. How does Shawn’s condition affect his family? 2. How does Shawn’s condition affect his family?

3. Why does the author include the scene of the dog 3. Why does the author include the scene of the dog being hit by the car?being hit by the car?

4. What does Shawn mean when he says that his life is 4. What does Shawn mean when he says that his life is “just in his head”?“just in his head”?

5 Shawn thought he knew about death from watching 5 Shawn thought he knew about death from watching TV, but something happens that changes his feelings, TV, but something happens that changes his feelings, What happened? How does he feel about death now?What happened? How does he feel about death now?

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

1. Shawn is able to remember everything that he 1. Shawn is able to remember everything that he has heard since age five. No one else is aware has heard since age five. No one else is aware that Shawn is near genius. How does this lack of that Shawn is near genius. How does this lack of understanding of Shawn’s mental abilities understanding of Shawn’s mental abilities influence how people interact around him? influence how people interact around him? Would they talk as openly if they knew he Would they talk as openly if they knew he understood what they were saying? understood what they were saying?

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

2. Shawn talks directly to you, the reader. 2. Shawn talks directly to you, the reader. He says he may have overheard that fight He says he may have overheard that fight you had with your girlfriend or what your you had with your girlfriend or what your father said when you were shopping for a father said when you were shopping for a particular baseball glove. How would you particular baseball glove. How would you feel if you knew someone could remember feel if you knew someone could remember in detail, an incident in your life you would in detail, an incident in your life you would rather forget? Explain.rather forget? Explain.

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

3. Shawn states, “My dad didn’t 3. Shawn states, “My dad didn’t divorce my mom or my sister, divorce my mom or my sister, Cindy or my brother, Paul-he Cindy or my brother, Paul-he divorced me.” Is Shawn correct in divorced me.” Is Shawn correct in his assessment of the situation? his assessment of the situation? Why or why not?Why or why not?

Chapter 4-5Chapter 4-5

Why does Shawn think his dad wants to Why does Shawn think his dad wants to kill him? Do you have any ideas about how kill him? Do you have any ideas about how Shawn feels about his dad?Shawn feels about his dad?

Double Entry JournalDouble Entry Journal

As we read the novel together, make As we read the novel together, make notes (written or visual) in their readers notes (written or visual) in their readers notebook – this should not be a summary notebook – this should not be a summary of what was read, but a reaction to what of what was read, but a reaction to what was read. For this use a double entry diary was read. For this use a double entry diary

Double Entry JournalDouble Entry Journal

PassagePassage

Ex. pg. 3Ex. pg. 3 “ I just “ I just happened to have this happened to have this one talent that I know one talent that I know makes me gifted and makes me gifted and special – Yuck! I hate special – Yuck! I hate that word ‘special’ When that word ‘special’ When it’s applied to people. As it’s applied to people. As in ‘he’s a very special in ‘he’s a very special person.’ Geez! Who person.’ Geez! Who isn’t!”isn’t!”

CommentComment

What do you think of What do you think of when you hear of when you hear of someone described as someone described as special?special?

Does everyone have a Does everyone have a special ability?special ability?

Discussion Question #Discussion Question #4 4

Mr. McDaniel won the Pulitzer Prize for the Mr. McDaniel won the Pulitzer Prize for the poem he wrote about being a parent of a poem he wrote about being a parent of a child with Cerebral Palsy. Shawn is child with Cerebral Palsy. Shawn is “introduced” to an audience his father has “introduced” to an audience his father has brought to tears with the poem. How does brought to tears with the poem. How does Shawn react to this situation? How would Shawn react to this situation? How would you feel in Shawn’s place?you feel in Shawn’s place?

Chapter 6 independent QuestionsChapter 6 independent Questions

1.1. How strongly does Shawn feel about his How strongly does Shawn feel about his seizures? (please provide text evidence)seizures? (please provide text evidence)

2.2. How physically damaging can a seizure be? How physically damaging can a seizure be?

3.3. Shawn states, “Seizure trips are as real to me as Shawn states, “Seizure trips are as real to me as sitting in this wheelchair right now, remembering.” sitting in this wheelchair right now, remembering.” What is reality? Is it perception? Can we What is reality? Is it perception? Can we experience something that isn’t reality? [you may experience something that isn’t reality? [you may want to use a dictionary]want to use a dictionary]

Chapter 6Chapter 6

4. Shawn describes what it's like to have a 4. Shawn describes what it's like to have a seizure. seizure. How does he feel about his seizures? How does he feel about his seizures? Did this surprise you? Did this surprise you? Why or why not? Why or why not? Have you ever had experience with someone Have you ever had experience with someone

having a seizure?having a seizure?

Discussion Question #5Discussion Question #5Unable to handle his feeling that Shawn is in Unable to handle his feeling that Shawn is in

great pain during his seizures, Mr. great pain during his seizures, Mr. McDaniel is considering the option of McDaniel is considering the option of euthanasia.euthanasia.

- Are Mr. McDaniel’s feelings justifiable? - Are Mr. McDaniel’s feelings justifiable? - What is your view about euthanasia? - What is your view about euthanasia? - Is there ever a time that euthanasia is - Is there ever a time that euthanasia is

acceptable?acceptable?

Chapter 7 – Chapter 7 – Mini lesson on CharacterMini lesson on Character

1. In chapter seven Shawn talks about his social 1. In chapter seven Shawn talks about his social world (school). How do his insights reveal he’s an world (school). How do his insights reveal he’s an adolescent? adolescent?

2. How does Sydney’s statements during the TV 2. How does Sydney’s statements during the TV interview contribute further to Shawn’s suspicions interview contribute further to Shawn’s suspicions (that his father wants to kill him)?(that his father wants to kill him)?

3. 3. This chapter is about school. What is his father’s This chapter is about school. What is his father’s opinion about school for kids like Shawn? opinion about school for kids like Shawn?Do you agree or disagree? Why?Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Discussion #6Discussion #6

Shawn ponders, “I do sometimes wonder Shawn ponders, “I do sometimes wonder what life would be like if people, even one what life would be like if people, even one person, knew that I was smart and there’s person, knew that I was smart and there’s an actual person hidden inside my useless an actual person hidden inside my useless body. I am here. I’m just sort of stuck in body. I am here. I’m just sort of stuck in neutral.” What does Shawn mean by being neutral.” What does Shawn mean by being “stuck in neutral”?“stuck in neutral”?

Chapter 8Chapter 81. What “motive” is revealed in the 1. What “motive” is revealed in the

overheard conversation between Shawn’s overheard conversation between Shawn’s mom and her friend Connie, that might mom and her friend Connie, that might explain why Sydney would kill Shawn?explain why Sydney would kill Shawn?

2. Shawn and his dad are both double-2. Shawn and his dad are both double-jointed in their thumbs. What effect does jointed in their thumbs. What effect does this similarity have on your understanding this similarity have on your understanding of Shawn’s dad? How do you think Sydney of Shawn’s dad? How do you think Sydney feels about the similarity?feels about the similarity?

Chapter 9Chapter 91. How does Shawn’s out-of-body experiences 1. How does Shawn’s out-of-body experiences

help him experience something close to a help him experience something close to a normal life? (Give specific examples from the normal life? (Give specific examples from the chapter)chapter)

2. How does this particular experience make 2. How does this particular experience make Shawn feel more strongly than before about the Shawn feel more strongly than before about the necessity of living?necessity of living?

3. How does the incident with the fly communicate 3. How does the incident with the fly communicate Shawn’s disability in a more vivid sense?Shawn’s disability in a more vivid sense?

Chapter 10Chapter 101. Why is Lindy distracted this morning as she 1. Why is Lindy distracted this morning as she

feeds Shawn his cereal?feeds Shawn his cereal?

2. Why is Sidney’s new project a particularly 2. Why is Sidney’s new project a particularly sensitive topic? How does Lindy try to explain it sensitive topic? How does Lindy try to explain it to the kids?to the kids?

3. What insightful perspective does Shawn see in 3. What insightful perspective does Shawn see in regards to his father’s new project?regards to his father’s new project?

4. 4. What does Mom tell Cindy and Paul? Predict: What does Mom tell Cindy and Paul? Predict: Will they agree or not? Support your answerWill they agree or not? Support your answer

Chapter 11Chapter 11

1.1. The Alice Ponds Show introduces the topic The Alice Ponds Show introduces the topic “Parents who Kill” from a very negative “Parents who Kill” from a very negative perspective. How does Sydney force them to perspective. How does Sydney force them to consider another perspective? What the consider another perspective? What the rationale for killing your child? What is the rationale for killing your child? What is the justification presented in the chapter?justification presented in the chapter?

2.2. Was your prediction from Chapter 10 correct Was your prediction from Chapter 10 correct whether Mom, Cindy and Paul agree or whether Mom, Cindy and Paul agree or disagree?disagree?

Chapter 12Chapter 12

1. As Shawn returns from his seizure, the 1. As Shawn returns from his seizure, the family is discussing what? How do we family is discussing what? How do we know?know?

2. What horrifying event occurs in this 2. What horrifying event occurs in this chapter? Please relate the entire event.chapter? Please relate the entire event.

Discussion #7Discussion #7

Shawn’s father loses control of his anger Shawn’s father loses control of his anger when a crow lands near the porch where when a crow lands near the porch where Shawn sits. He fears that Shawn cannot Shawn sits. He fears that Shawn cannot always be protected. Do you think the always be protected. Do you think the same type of fear is a factor in the severity same type of fear is a factor in the severity of the beating Paul gives the two bullies of the beating Paul gives the two bullies who try to burn Shawn? Is all anger the who try to burn Shawn? Is all anger the same? Explain.same? Explain.

Chapter 13Chapter 13

1.1. What does Sydney do for Shawn in this What does Sydney do for Shawn in this chapter? Why is it important for the chapter? Why is it important for the reader to hear about this event?reader to hear about this event?

2.2. Predict the ending (4.6)Predict the ending (4.6)

Chapter 14Chapter 14

1. What happens in the dream? Why is this 1. What happens in the dream? Why is this important?important?

Discussion #8Discussion #8

Reread Shawn’s description of his father. Is Reread Shawn’s description of his father. Is his assessment accurate? Would most his assessment accurate? Would most fathers fit into Shawn’s description to fathers fit into Shawn’s description to some degree?some degree?ExplainExplain

Chapter 15Chapter 15

1. What is a “respite” worker?1. What is a “respite” worker?

2. What is the tone of this chapter? Why?2. What is the tone of this chapter? Why?

Chapter 16Chapter 16

1. Is the timing of Shawn’s seizure in the last 1. Is the timing of Shawn’s seizure in the last chapter perfect or at exactly the worst chapter perfect or at exactly the worst time? Justify your answer.time? Justify your answer.

Discussion #9Discussion #9

With his father sitting beside him verbalizing With his father sitting beside him verbalizing his uncertainty about the quality of his uncertainty about the quality of Shawn’s life, a seizure hits. Shawn knows Shawn’s life, a seizure hits. Shawn knows he can do nothing-either way he will be he can do nothing-either way he will be soaring. What does he mean by this soaring. What does he mean by this comment?comment?

After Reading ThoughtsAfter Reading ThoughtsDo you think the title fits the book?Do you think the title fits the book?

Why do you think the book was written in first person rather Why do you think the book was written in first person rather than from an outsider’s point-of-view observing the than from an outsider’s point-of-view observing the situation that Shawn is in?situation that Shawn is in?

How is Shawn just like a “normal” teenager? What does he How is Shawn just like a “normal” teenager? What does he have in common with you?have in common with you?

What do you think of Shawn’s father? How would you What do you think of Shawn’s father? How would you describe him? What about Shawn’s family? Do you think describe him? What about Shawn’s family? Do you think Shawn’s father was using him for fame?Shawn’s father was using him for fame?

How do you think that story would have worked if Shawn’s How do you think that story would have worked if Shawn’s parents were not divorced? How might have that parents were not divorced? How might have that changed the family relationship?changed the family relationship?

What roles do Cindy and Paul play in the story? How do What roles do Cindy and Paul play in the story? How do you think they were affected by being raised in a family you think they were affected by being raised in a family with a sibling like Shawn? Do you think their characters with a sibling like Shawn? Do you think their characters were realistic? Do you think they were important were realistic? Do you think they were important characters? Why?characters? Why?

What do you think of Earl Detraux? Do you think he is What do you think of Earl Detraux? Do you think he is selfish? selfish?

Terry Trueman includes a note at the end, saying that his Terry Trueman includes a note at the end, saying that his son, Sheehan has a condition similar to Shawn’s. Does son, Sheehan has a condition similar to Shawn’s. Does knowing this about the author take away or add to the knowing this about the author take away or add to the story? Why do you think Trueman wrote this story? story? Why do you think Trueman wrote this story?

After Reading ThoughtsAfter Reading Thoughts

Has this book changed your perception of Has this book changed your perception of disabled persons? Explain. disabled persons? Explain.

Did reading this book give you an insight Did reading this book give you an insight into living with a disability? How? into living with a disability? How?

After Reading ThoughtsAfter Reading Thoughts