Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice

What are the four institutions of US history that have shaped issues of race and justice in America, and how do they continue to influence the modern legal system?

Which stories or facts in Just Mercy surprise you the most? How have these stories/facts changed or influenced your understanding of justice in the US?

What is a “stonecatcher”? What is their role and why might they be necessary in American society?

Just Mercy addresses both race and poverty. Which of these two issues has more impact on American society, or are they inseparable? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Bryan Stevenson states in the introduction that “each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done” (17). What does this mean, and how does it relate to the themes of the book? What impact should this belief have on the justice system, according to the author?

The words “just mercy” appear only once, on page 260. What is the significance of this term as the title of the book? How does the narrative as a whole construct the meaning and importance of “just mercy”?

Consider the differences between US and international law on sentencing for child offenders. Why does the US legal system condone and encourage extreme punishment for minors? What social/cultural factors contribute to this attitude?

Who would you argue is the “main character” of the book, Bryan Stevenson or Walter McMillian? Why?