JR #1: Art is the one class where Melinda feels comfortable.

She is
excited about her art project, and she likes Mr. Freeman. How would
you describe him? What qualities does he possess that make him a
good teacher? Have you ever had a teacher like Mr. Freeman?
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JR #2: Have you ever been ostracized, like Melinda, from members of
your own school or neighborhood? If so, what did you do? OR Have
you known anyone who was excluded from being a part of your
school or community? What did you do in this situation?

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JR #3: From the clues in the text, who do you think IT is? Why is
Melinda so upset when she sees IT? Predict what we will find out
once we know more about IT?

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JR #4: If you were Melinda and decided to take refuge in an unused

janitor’s closet, what would you do to make if your own place? How
would you change the space to feel safe there? Why do you think
Melinda takes down the mirror? What would you do with the mirror?
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JR #5: What do you think Melinda wants to tell her parents, but is
unable to do so? How would you tell your parents something you
were afraid would upset them?
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JR #6: Have you ever know someone who has either talked of cutting
or has been a cutter? If so, did this person get the help they needed?
How could Melinda’s mother have handled this situation with
Melinda and the scratches on her wrist better?
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JR #7: Melinda demonstrates many of the symptoms of clinical

depression. What behaviors does she manifest that would cause you
to be concerned if you were her parents, friend, or teacher? What
would you do to try and help her?
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JR #8: If you were in Melinda’s place, how would you react to Andy
(IT)? Would you have the courage to tell someone what happened or
would you be paralyzed the way Melinda has been?
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JR #9: Melinda finds herself trying to conform to make her parents

happy. In what ways do you conform to what is expected of you? In
what ways do you rebel against what is expected of you? Why do you
find yourself doing either one?
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JR #10: Now that you know the whole story of the party, what
happened to Melinda and how? Write about how this happens. How
does Melinda get herself into this situation? What could she have
done differently? How would you have handled this situation?
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