Mrs. Daniel

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Assignments:

Part One: Develop TWO thoughtful discussion questions.
Email the questions to my email account by August 26 - 8:00 am

Part Two: Respond to FOUR of the topics/questions below. Your discussion should make specific references to the book (include page numbers) so that I know you have read the book carefully. J
The responses, with the signed honor code, will be collected at the beginning of the group discussion.

1. First, the obvious question: What did you think of the title of this novel? Did you pick up the book despite or because of it?

2. How well did the novel-in-letters format work? Why do you think the authors chose it? What do we gain from reading the letters that we might not get from a more conventional narrative?

3. Discuss the poets, novelists, biographers, and other writers who capture the hearts of the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. What does a reader’s taste in books say about his or her personality?

4. Whose lives were changed the most by membership in the society?

5. What facts about life in England during World War II were you especially surprised to learn?

6. A book club member named John Booker quotes the Roman orator Seneca: “Light griefs are loquacious, but the great are dumb.” [page 150] What did he mean? Does it express a theme of the book?

7. Did any parts make you laugh out loud? Did any parts make you cry?

8. In what ways were Juliet and Elizabeth kindred spirits? What did Elizabeth’s spontaneous invention of the society, as well as her final act, say about her approach to life?

9. Which member of the Society is your favorite? Whose literary opinions are most like your own?

10. Name your favorite thing overall about the book. Your least favorite?

11. How did Remy’s presence enhance the lives of those on Guernsey? Through her survival, what recollections, hopes, and lessons also survived?

Part THREE: Come to class the first day of school prepared for a lively discussion!

Honor Pledge
On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received assistance on this assignment. The thoughts expressed here are my own and reflect a thorough and complete reading of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

Signed__________________________________________________________

Problems? Questions? Feel free to email me. I check my email at least once every two weeks during the summer.
Diane_Daniel@columbusacademy.org

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