Chernowitz Open-Ended Questions

Before the Preface:

·  In your opinion, what is the definition of bullying?

·  What impact or effect does this have on young adults your age?

·  What would you do if someone you know is being bullied?

1.  After Ch.1-8

We have discussed what a bully is and why they do the things they do. Emmett points out that Bobby is skinny.

·  Do bullies pick on people who seem “weaker”?

·  What do you think makes a person like Bobby an easy target for a bully?

·  Does telling an adult make a situation like Bobby’s worse? Explain.

2.  After Ch. 12

Bobby says Emmett is trying to intimidate or scare him.

·  Bobby does not think Emmett will hurt him. Do you agree? Why or why not?

·  Explain the kinds of things that Emmett has done to Bobby. Why is this considered bullying?

3.  After Ch. 18

In Chapter 16 Bobby tells the reader some of the horrible things that the other students, like Brian, begin to say to him.

·  Why is it more shocking to hear these cruel words from others and not Emmett?

·  Do you think that the other students really want to say those words or are they being influenced by someone else? Explain.

4.  After Ch. 22

Explain the following quote from Chapter 22 p.88 “…I decided that all the bad things in the world were happening to me, but that was okay because while other people spread out their troubles, I would be getting all mine over with in one year and it would be smooth sailing from then on.” Is this a good attitude to have at such a young age?

5.  End of novel

Here is a quote from the end of the novel p. 182-183: “We were still looking at each other, three feet apart and light years away. I discovered my fists were clenched tightly and I unclenched them and stood up straighter. I thought about the assembly, and the kids who cried. There were more of them than the Sundbacks. It isn’t Chernowitz, I said to Emmett. My name is Cherno.”

·  Explain what this quote means

·  Is this a good attitude to have at such a young age?

6.  Predict. End of novel.

Describe next school year. What happens? Do Emmett and Bobby keep up the bad relationship? Does anything change? (good or bad).

Literature Logs

1.  After Ch. 1-4 – Lit Log S – Describe the setting of the story so far.

2.  After Ch. 18 – Lit Log P Make a prediction and explain your thinking.