The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

What does it mean to be a hero? Who is the hero of this story - is it Jack? Wendy? Frankie? Anders? Someone else? What, in your opinion, is an example of an act of heroism?.

Do you think that Clive will see Jack again? Why do you think that?.

Why, in your opinion, does Anders snap off a section of the vines and bring it home? What do you think he'll do with it?.

Is the Lady really all bad? Is the Other really all good? Is it possible for a person to be all bad or all good?.

Why doesn't Wendy trust Jack at first? What happens to change her mind?.

What does Clive mean that there is power in the 'gap between good and evil'? What kind of power? What do you think that means?.

Why do you think Jack goes to visit his 'brother', Baxter? Why is it so important that Baxter remembers Jack, even when no one else in the family does?.Avery want more than anything else in the world? What choices does he make in order to get what he wants? What happens to Frankie at the school house?.Is that an accurate description of her? Why do you think that? Wendy is often described as 'prickly'.In your family or culture, how do people remember their loved ones who have passed away? How do we - in our lives - keep the memories of our loved ones alive? There is a lot in this book about the relationship between a person's soul and their memory.Perkins? Is he a good person or a bad person? Why does Jack try to protect Clayton, even though Clayton has been so mean to him?.How would this story be different if Jack knew what he was from the very beginning? How would that knowledge change how Jack acts? Parents do this teachers do this everyone does. Sometimes, adults try to protect children from scary or troubling information.Which of the characters in this book is most like you? Why do you think that?.Why do you think Jack hates fairy tales?.Is there a difference between 'brave' and 'good'? What are some examples from the book where the characters had to be brave if they wanted to do good? Can you think of a real-world example of someone needing to be brave in order to do the right thing?.Why is the skateboard so important to Jack? What does he hope to gain by learning to ride it?.What clues can you find that show the reader exactly how different Jack is? What does each character notice and how do they respond? Frankie, Wendy, Anders, and Clayton all notice that something Very Odd is going on.Why does Jack spend the summer in Iowa? What's going on with his family that forces his move?.

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill