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Should people be able to publish or voice their opinions without consequences? Why or why not? Are there situations in which opinions should always be met with consequences? If so, when?

Analyze why Anderson included the scene in which Eric looks through his mother’s old yearbooks. Do you think the scene is necessary? Why or why not? How does it inform Eric’s character arc and the broader narrative?

Do you agree or disagree with Rose making one of the bullies wear an “I’m sorry” note? If you agree, why do you think this was the right message for the story? If you disagree, what message would you have preferred Rose use?

In Chapter 16, Eric reflects on messages that seem important to people. Do messages lose their importance over time? If so, why? If not, what makes them keep their importance?

If you were a student in Mr. Sword’s class, what would you have written for your aphorism and why? What do you hope people would glean from your message?

Bench repeatedly tells Eric that his change of heart about the tribe isn’t about him as an individual. While Bench’s decision mostly reflects how he’s changed, should his words be taken a face value? Can a decision that affects others truly only be about the decision-maker?

Eric determines that Rose’s family has money and Rose could be popular if she wanted to be. Why does Rose refuse to buy in to the idea of middle-school popularity? What message does Anderson send about popularity and social expectations through Rose’s character? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Explore the idea that words can never be taken back. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Can negative words be undone or fixed? If so, how? If not, why do you think so?