A Guide for Reading Groups

JUST ANOTHER HERO

By Sharon M. Draper

About the Book



Arielle Gresham, disliked and mistrusted by most of the students at her school, has a secret past, an unbelievably complicated present, and a shaky future. But no one knows or cares because she has managed to alienate anyone who could help her. She tries to cope with problems at school, but difficulties at home almost break her spirit. As the school tries to deal with an outbreak of false fire alarms, a series of thefts, a student addicted to prescription drugs, and another who is a victim of vicious online bullying, Arielle finds that outward appearances are seldom what they seem to be. A hero is needed—maybe several heroes to solve the various problems that emerge. What makes a hero? We find out as the novel builds to a powerful, explosive conclusion.

Discussion Topics

1. The novel opens with a scene of violence—cruel mistreatment of a weaker student by a group of bullies. How does this help capture the reader’s attention? What predictions can the reader make about Arielle and Osrick? Compare those predictions to what really happens at the end of the novel.

2. Why doesn’t Arielle report the abuse of Osrick? What would you have done in the same situation?

3. Arielle seems to be a social outsider as well as Osrick, although she used to hang with all the popular kids in school see more