Here are suggested discussion questions and vocabulary words for the following chapters:
Chapter 6: "Paging Mr. Tushman"
1). At the end of this chapter, August describes his first impressions of his new school:
"The only school I'd ever been inside before was Via's, when I went with Mom and Dad to watch Via sing in spring concerts and stuff like that. This school was very different. It was smaller. It smelled like a hospital" (16).
Imagine yourself in August's shoes- draw a picture of what he is seeing. How do you think he is feeling as he is walking through the hallways? What would his first impressions be of your school?
Vocabulary
elective (16)
Chapter 7: "Nice Mrs. Garcia"
1). Look for more "baby" references in this chapter- consider when and why August chooses to act like a baby. Can you relate?
(These references bring us back to our analysis of August and his voice in this book- how endearing he is and how realistic his voice is- the reader can appreciate his honesty and openness).
2). At the beginning of this chapter, August describes his first encounter with Mrs. Garcia.
"Then that thing happened that I've seen happen a million times before. When I looked up at her, Mrs. Garcia's eyes dropped for a second. It was so fast no one else would have noticed, since the rest of her face stayed exactly the same" (p.17)
Is it okay that Mrs. Garcia has this reaction when she first sees August? Does August understand or forgive Mrs. Garcia for her split second reaction? Why or why not?
3). On both p.17 and p.18, August describes Mrs. Garcia's smile as "shiny" - what does he mean by this? What does a shiny smile look like?
Chapter 8: Jack Will, Julian, and Charlotte
1). When August hears kids' voices outside Mr. Tushman's office, his "heart literally started beating like [he'd] just run the longest race in the world." (20). Why is August having this reaction?
2). When Jack Will, Julian and Charlotte first walk into Mr. Tushman's office, "none of them looked over at me or Mom: they stood by the door looking straight at Mr. Tushman like their lives depended on it" - why are they acting this way? If it were you, how do you think you would act?
exaggerating (20)
percussion (23)
Chapter 9: The Grand Tour
Vocabulary
smirk (25)
Chapter 10: The Performance Space
1). On p. 30, why does Jack Will tell August that he has to talk ("But, dude, you're gonna have to talk.") What are Jack's intentions by suggesting this to August?
2). What are your thoughts on Julian at this point? Support your opinion with details from the text.
Vocabulary
sarcastically (28)
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