EDHS & White Pine Book Club

To Think About: 1. Reflect on the relationship between Mandy and Starfire. What was your initial reaction when you saw them interact? Did this change for you as the story progressed? 2. How is this graphic novel similar and different from other ones you’ve read? 3. Mandy decides early on that she doesn’t want to go to university; what do you think contributed to this decision? Have you decided your own next steps? Who is contributing to that decision? 4. Mandy and Claire start out in very different situations but come together as the story progresses. Describe their relationship arch and your reactions along the way. 5. How would this story change if you removed the images and only read the text and vise-versa?

To Think About: 1) The world of Huaxia is tinged with violence, sacrifice, and cruelty as humanity struggles to survive the attacks of the Hunduns. The book especially focuses on gendered violence and the willingness of society to allow female pilots to die in order for the male pilot to survive. Did the levels of violence within the book shock you? Was there any point where you were stunned by the actions of a character? 2) Zetian does not have a good relationship with her family, with the exception of her older sister. Her parents focus on her brother who will carry on the family name and do not see a problem with selling Zetian and her sister into servitude as concubines to a pilot for cash. Do you feel that Zetian’s actions in the book are justified considering how she has been treated? 3) The pilots of Huaxia are treated similar to real world movie stars. They are followed by cameras, interviewed by reporters, their fights with the Hunduns are televised for all to see, an...

To Think About: 1. Lou, despite facing many challenges in her life, draws on those around her to find strength and joy. Who are these people and how do they support her? What are your sources of strength and joy when times are difficult for you? 2. In her Author’s Note, Jen Ferguson writes, “The most common critique of King from early readers was that he’s too good for a teenage boy. Let me tell you, I have no regrets. King’s goodness, his kindness, his heart, those are his superpowers.” (p. 363). What do you think about this? Do you have anyone in your life with “superpowers”? 3. Much of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet focuses on Lou’s job in the Michif Creamery. How would you describe Lou’s feelings about working there? How do Lou’s feelings compare to yours about your part-time work or volunteer experiences? 4. Lou spends much of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet fretting about losing her family’s farm and land. Why does she value them so much? What connections do you...

To Think About: 1. Twice as Perfect deals with the question of self and who we are. How does Ada describe herself? How does her view of herself change as the story progresses? 2. In the book, Nigerian kids are expected to choose one of three career paths. What are they? 3. Genny and Sam chose different paths than those expected. Why was one accepted and the other not? 4.Why does Ada feel like she needs to be twice as perfect? 5. The character of Sam is a mystery throughout the book as we hear of him but never see him. How does that move the story forward? What did you think of the character of Sam and the choices he made? 6. What are your thoughts surrounding the ending of the book? Was it realistic? Do you feel that things were wrapped up well?

To Think About: 1. Why, do you think, did H.N. Khan call this book The Wrong Side of the Court ? 2. Fawad and his friends are torn between their desire for revenge and their desire to see violence end in their neighbourhood. In your mind, is pursuing revenge (either violent or non-violent) ever an acceptable response? What is the best way to address past wrongs? 3. Fawad has many role models, ranging from Steph Curry to coaches to people in his family. How do they serve to guide him? Who are the people in your life that you consider to be role models? What inspiration do you draw from them? 4. Fawad is very self-conscious about being labeled a “boy from Regent Park” because of people’s negative stereotypes of the neighbourhood and its residents. What were the good and bad parts about living in that community? Describe a situation where you felt driven to surpass people’s expectations of you. What was the source of your motivation? 5. Fawad often struggles to live for h...