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Chapter 1: “Welcome to Merryweather High”
1. In what point of view is this novel written?
2. What example of personification can you find in the first sentence of the second paragraph?
3. What clue do we get about the narrator’s (recent) past at the end of the second paragraph?
4. How do the students on the bus treat the narrator? Give examples.
5. What are the “clans” that the ninth-graders are divided into? Do we have “clans” like this at Northern?
What could be the name for some of our NHS clans?
6. What clan does the narrator fall into? What clan did she previously to fall into?
7. Describe the narrator’s reception by her “ex-best friend” Rachel.
8. What metaphor does the narrator make about herself in the third paragraph of page 5?
9. How many of the “first 10 lies they tell you in high school” do you think apply to NHS?
Chapter 2—“Our Teachers are the Best…”
10. What do you think the narrator means when she says, “my English teacher has no face”? Describe the
English teacher.
11. Who is the narrator’s Social Studies teacher? Why do you think he “has his eye on her”?
Chapter 3—“Spotlight”
12. Why did the narrator decide not to bring her lunch on the first day of school?
13. How does the narrator find herself in the spotlight in the cafeteria?
14. Who does she run into trying to exit the cafeteria? How does the narrator interact with him?
15. Why does Mr. Neck think she’s “trouble”?
Chapter 4—“Sanctuary”
16. Describe the art room. How does the narrator feel about art class?
17. What does Mr. Freeman say to the students about art as they come in the classroom? What could that
mean?
18. What does the broken globe represent, according to Mr. Freeman? How did it become broken?
19. What object does the narrator pull out of the globe? What is the assignment that goes along with the
object? How does she feel about it?
20. Why might this chapter be titled “Sanctuary”?
Chapter 5—“Español”
21. Why does the narrator think it’s both “amusing and useful” that the Spanish teacher is going to try to
make it through the whole year without speaking English to the class?
Chapter 6—“Home. Work.”
22. Who becomes the narrator’s “friend” within the first two weeks?
23. How does the narrator’s family communicate? What does her mother do for a living? Describe her job.
24. On page 15, we finally find out the narrator’s name. What is it?
25. Describe Melinda’s system of eating on the couch.
26. Describe Melinda’s room. How did it become the way it is?
27. Describe Melinda’s interactions with her father. What can you conclude their relationship is like?
28. Why do you think Melinda takes the mirror down?
Chapter 7—“Our Fearless Leader”
29. How does the interaction between the principal and the late student compare to your interactions with
teachers or administration when you’ve been late to class?
Chapter 8—“Fizz Ed”
30. Why does Nicole have a better locker than Melinda and Heather? Why does Melinda think she is
confident in the changing room?
31. Why do the gym teachers like Nicole?
32. What makes the situation worse for Melinda, when it comes to Nicole?
Chapter 9—“Friends”
33. Describe Rachel/Rachelle as she is described at the beginning of the chapter.
34. How does Melinda decide to act toward her? Does it work?
35. What does Rachel/Rachelle do instead of smoking?
36. How does Rachel/Rachelle act toward Melinda?
37. What does Melinda decide that she needs after the encounter with Rachel/Rachelle and Greta-Ingrid?
Chapter 10—“Heathering”
38. What does Heather try to “bully” Melinda into doing?
39. What are the clubs that are “out”? Which ones does Heather think they should try?
40. How does Melinda compare Heather to a dog?
41. What are Melinda’s “goals”?
Chapter 11—“Burrow”
42. Why is Melinda flustered at the beginning of the chapter?
43. What does Melinda do to repay the librarian for her kindness?
44. When is Melinda’s “brilliant idea” born?
45. Where does Melinda hide to escape from Mr. Neck? Describe it.
46. What does Melinda steal from Hairwoman’s desk? Predict what she will do with it.
Chapter 12—“Devils Destroy”
47. What is Melinda planning to do during the Homecoming pep rally?
48. What does the girl with the black fingernails ask Melinda?
49. Why does Heather not defend Melinda?
50. What do the kids around her do to Melinda during the pep rally?
Chapter 13—“Cheerleaders”
51. What are the two different “universes” in which the cheerleaders exist?
52. List three examples of hyperbole in Melinda’s definition of the “cheerleader universes.”
53. What will Melinda’s clan be called, if she ever starts one? What will they do?
Chapter 14—“The Opposite of Inspiration is…Expiration?”
54. What has Melinda been painting in art class since the pep rally? How do they reflect Melinda’s current
mindset?
55. Why does Mr. Freeman go off on the school board?
Chapter 15—“Acting”
56. Describe Heather’s room.
57. What is Melinda’s “job” in her friendship with Heather?
58. Why doesn’t Melinda think they’ll be allowed to be in the musical?
59. What does Heather “not understand” about Melinda’s point of view? How does she react?
60. What does Melinda do when Heather reacts this way? How does she make it worse?
Chapter 16—“Dinner Theatre”
61. What are the roles that Melinda and her parents are playing at the dinner table?
62. Why are her parents so angry with her?
63. What is the “death voice”?
Chapter 17—“Blue Roses”
64. Why does Melinda feel sorry for Ms. Keen?
65. Describe Melinda’s lab partner.
66. Why was Ms. Keen’s purple dress with bright blue roses on it “all anyone talked about for days?”
Chapter 18—“Student Divided by Confusion Equals Algebra”
67. Why do you think Mr. Stetman stares and Melinda’s late pass for a long time?
68. Why does Melinda see math as easy?
69. Who does Mr. Stetman call on to help Melinda with the algebra problem? Describe how this unfolds.
Chapter 19—“Halloween”
70. Why is Melinda secretly thrilled her parents won’t let her go trick-or-treating?
71. What did Melinda’s clan dress up as last year? Describe her trick or treating experience.
Chapter 20—“Name Name Name”
72. What is the new Merryweather High Mascot? Why was it changed?
73. What happens to Melinda in Spanish class?
74. What is Melinda’s new theory about what happened at the party?
Chapter 21—“The Marthas”
75. Describe the Marthas. What do they look like? What do they like to do?
76. What is Heather’s first Martha Project?
77. Describe the teacher’s lounge.
78. Why do you think Melinda says, “Thanks for the homework, Heather,” and quickly leaves when Meg
‘n’ Emily ‘n’ Siobhan show up?
79. Why does Melinda get so upset at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 22—“Nightmare”
80. Who or what do you think “IT” is?
Chapter 23—“Go ________________ (Fill In the Blank)!”
81. How did the Ecology club go about getting the mascot changed AGAIN?
82. How does the school go about picking a new Mascot?
83. Name two of the suggested mascots and why they are voted against.
84. Which choice of mascot do you think Merryweather should choose?
85. If you could give Northern a new mascot, what would you choose? Why?
Chapter 24—“Closet Space”
86. Why does Melinda agree that Maya Angelou must be a great writer?
87. Why is it getting harder for Melinda to talk?
88. Why is Melinda’s closet “a good thing”?
Chapter 25—“All Together Now”
89. Why does Melinda decide to do her Spanish homework?
90. What do the verbs Melinda chooses to conjugate for homework have in common?
Chapter 26—“Job Day”
91. What does Job Day start with, like all things in high school?
92. What is Melinda more worried about than a career?
Chapter 27—“First Amendment”
93. What is Mr. Neck upset about in class?
94. What do the students seem to be more concerned with?
95. Why does Mr. Neck’s debate topic strike “several nerves” in the classroom?
96. Why does Mr. Neck call an abrupt end to the debate?
97. Who stands up in the middle of class? Why is this odd?
98. Why does Melinda make a note to “study David Petrakis”? What did that moment in class have in
common with her entire high school experience thus far?
Chapter 28—“Giving Thanks”
99. Describe Melinda’s mother in the weeks before Thanksgiving.
100. What does Thanksgiving dinner mean to Melinda’s mother?
101. Describe the attempts to thaw the turkey.
102. Describe Melinda’s father’s attempts to save Thanksgiving.
Chapter 29—“Wishbone”
103. What does Melinda take to art class?
104. Describe Melinda’s attempts to use the turkey bones in her art project.
105. Describe Mr. Freeman’s painting. What does it represent?
106. What small breakthrough does Melinda have with an old friend?
107. Why does Mr. Freeman have an odds-‘n’-ends bin?
108. What does Melinda’s project say to Mr. Freeman?
109. What does Ivy say to Melinda? How does she see it as positive?
Chapter 30—“Peeled and Cored”
110. What is the “trigger word” for the back row? Why?
111. What are they given in biology to dissect?
112. What memory does the biology classroom conjure for Melinda? Is it positive or negative? How
does it gel with Melinda’s family life?
113. How does Melinda get extra credit in biology?
Chapter 31—“First Amendment, Second Verse”
114. Describe the mood at Merryweather High in the week before Winter Break.
115. Why do you think Melinda doesn’t “dare use a stolen late pass with Mr. Neck”?
116. Why do you think David Petrakis is recording Mr. Neck’s lesson? How does Mr. Neck get
around his displeasure of seeing the recording device?
Chapter 32—“Wombats Rule!”
117. What do you think Melinda means when she says that Heather is the “friendship necklace type”?
Chapter 33—“Winter Break”
118. What do you think Melinda means when she says that “there is something about Christmas that
requires a rug rat”?
119. Why does Melinda think she was a “huge disappointment”? Where does she think her parents
would be if she hadn’t been born?
120. How does the smell of her wet scarf bring back good memories for Melinda? In contrast, what is
her current reality?
121. Why does Melinda get teary-eyed at her parents’ gift of a sketchpad?
122. What do Melinda’s parents know about the party?
Chapter 34—“Hard Labor”
123. Contrast Melinda’s mother’s job with Melinda’s father’s job.
124. Why is Melinda angry with her father?
125. What happens to make IT’s face pop up in Melinda’s mind?
Chapter 35—“Foul”
126. What skill does Melinda discover she has?
127. Who is especially impressed by her new-found skill?
128. What is keeping her from partaking in her new-found skill?
129. How does Melinda feel about her new-found skill?
130. What is the deal offered to Melinda? What does she plan to do about it?
Chapter 36—“Coloring Outside the Lines”
131. Why is Mr. Freeman so cool all of a sudden?
132. What is the difference between the tree in Melinda’s head and the one that she is able to create?
Chapter 37—“Poster Child”
133. How is Heather not living up to Martha standards?
134. What does Melinda unknowingly agree to do?
Chapter 38—“Dead Frogs”
135. Why does Melinda have a hard time dissecting her dead frog? What memory does it bring up for
her?
136. What happens to Melinda?
Chapter 39—“Model Citizen”
137. Why is Heather’s new job paying off in “major Martha points”?
138. Why does Melinda want to be a model? Why does she NOT want to be a model?
Chapter 40—“Death by Algebra”
139. How does Melinda compare Mr. Stetman to a grandfather?
Chapter 41—“Word Work”
140. What did Hairwoman get out of the “Why America is Great” assignment?
Chapter 42—“Naming the Monster”
141. What might help Melinda’s reputation?
142. What does IT whisper to Melinda? What effect does it have on her?
Chapter 43—“Rent Round 3”
143. To what does Melinda compare her parents in this chapter?
144. How does Melinda’s mother react to her “running away”? What about to her “suicide attempt”?
Do you think Melinda was serious about either of these? Why or why not?
Chapter 44—“Can It”
145. Why are the Marthas upset with Heather? How can Melinda tell?
146. Who is Andy Evans? Describe him.
147. Describe the effect Andy has on Melinda when he’s talking to the Marthas.
Chapter 45—“Dark Art”
148. What did Mr. Freeman give up when the school board cut his budget?
149. Describe the change in Mr. Freeman’s room.
150. What does Mr. Freeman do to his canvas?
151. Compare Melinda’s grades in the 2nd marking period with her grades 3
rd marking period. What
might account for the difference?
Chapter 46—“Death of the Wombat”
152. What is the new Merryweather mascot? How was it chosen?
Chapter 47—“Cold Weather and Busses”
153. How does Melinda have to get to school when she oversleeps?
154. Who does Melinda see at Fayette’s? How does she react? To what does she compare her
reaction?
Chapter 48—“Escape”
155. Where does Melinda decide to go on her “day off’ from school? Why does she go there?
156. Why does Melinda want to be in fifth grade again?
157. Does Melinda enjoy her day off from school? Why or why not? How can you tell?
Chapter 49—“Code Breaking”
158. What is Nathaniel Hawthorne all about, according to Hairwoman?
159. What is Rachel/Rachelle’s response to the discussion on symbolism?
160. How are Hawthorne’s symbols just like multiplication, according to Hairwoman?
161. The last line of the chapter is “That’s what you get for speaking up.” How does this relate to
Melinda’s current situation?
Chapter 50—“Stunted”
162. Why is there a question mark next to Melinda’s name on Mr. Freeman’s wall?
163. Why do you think Melinda thinks Mr. Freeman is the “sanest person [she] know[s]”?
Chapter 51—“Lunch Doom”
164. How can you tell, in the second paragraph of this chapter, that there is something on Heather’s
mind?
165. What does Heather really think of Melinda?
166. What does Melinda realize about Heather as she’s telling her they can’t be friends anymore?
Chapter 52—“Conjugate This”
167. In the grand scheme of things, when in relation to the chapter before do you think this chapter
takes place?
Chapter 53—“Cutting out Hearts”
168. Contrast Valentine’s Day in elementary school and Valentine’s Day in middle/high school.
169. Why do you think Melinda ignores the envelope on her locker?
170. How do David and Melinda make a connection in Science class?
171. Who is the card from? What else was enclosed in the envelope?
172. How does Melinda react?
Chapter 54—“Our Lady of the Waiting Room”
173. Why does Melinda love the hospital?
174. Why does Melinda think that the people in the hospital are “really sick” people, and she’s not?
Chapter 55—“Clash of the Titans”
175. Contrast Melinda’s behavior in middle school with her behavior today?
176. What does Melinda’s mother think her behavior’s about? Whose fault does her father think it is?
Chapter 56—“Miss”
177. What is Melinda’s “consequence”? What did she do to earn it?
178. Who are the three other “convicts” in MISS with Melinda?
179. What effect does his presence have on Melinda?
Chapter 57—“Picasso”
180. What about Picasso does Melinda understand? Why does she understand it?
Chapter 58—“Riding Shotgun”
181. What is Melinda’s reward for going to every class for a week? Why is the reward actually more
like a punishment?
182. Who ends up giving Melinda a ride to Effert’s?
183. Why does Melinda wonder “what she’s doing” in the fourth paragraph on page 122?
Chapter 59—“Hall of Mirrors”
184. Describe what Melinda sees when she looks in the mirror.
185. What are the “thornbushes” in Melinda’s life?
Chapter 60—“Germination”
186. What is unique about Melinda’s actions in this chapter—especially when compared with the rest
of the book?
Chapter 61—“Bologna Exile”
187. Why do you think Melinda’s note to her mother made her happy?
188. Describe Rachel/Rachelle’s newest attempt at multi-culturalism.
Chapter 62—“Snow Day—School as Usual”
189. Why does Melinda think the teachers need a snow day?
190. Give at least two examples of personification from the last paragraph of this chapter.
Chapter 63—“Stupid Stupid”
191. Why does Melinda wake up in her closet in a panic?
192. Who comes to greet Melinda? Where does he invite her to go? Why does she refuse?
193. Summarize the arguments of “Melinda 1” and “Melinda 2”.
Chapter 64—“A Night to Remember”
194. What is it that sets off Melinda’s memory of August?
195. How do Melinda and Rachel/Rachelle get to the party? How did they get an invitation?
196. Describe the boy that approaches Melinda at the party. What is Melinda’s state of mind at the
moment?
197. What happens to Melinda at the party?
198. What does Melinda tell the police when she calls them?
199. How do the kids find out that Melinda called the police?
Chapter 65—“Exterminators”
200.What is it about the cheer that make the PTA want to get rid of the Hornets as mascot?
201.How do the students of Merryweather fight back against the petition to change the mascot?
Chapter 66—“The Wet Season”
202.What is a “winter rat”?
203.What is significant about April Fool’s Day?
204.Describe the change in Melinda’s academic efforts.
205.Describe Easter at Melinda’s house.
Chapter 67—“Spring Break”
206.Why does Melinda say she feels like Alice in Wonderland?
207.Who does Melinda run in to at the mall? What is she doing?
208.Describe the interaction between Ivy and Melinda. What do you think it means for the future of their
friendship?
Chapter 68—“Genetics”
209.What is the simile Melinda uses to describe Ms. Keen’s voice?
210.Melinda describes wanting her “real parents” to find her when she was a kid. Can you relate to this?
Why do you think she was terrified when she though her “real parents” were there to get her?
211.What are the genes Melinda gets from her mom and dad? Why is her family tree a “stump”?
212.Which of the “Ten More Lies They Tell You in High School” can you relate to?
Chapter 69—“My Life as a Spy”
213.Why does Melinda say Rachel/Rachelle has lost her mind?
214.What are the two sides of the argument about Rachel/Rachelle in Melinda’s head?
215.Why does Melinda follow Andy and Rachel/Rachelle? Why is she so upset about their interactions?
Chapter 70—“Thin Atmosphere”
216.Where does Melinda go to figure out what to do about Andy and Rachel/Rachelle?
217.What are some of the possible solutions she comes up with? Why does she decide they won’t work?
218.What are the phases Melinda has gone through? To whom does she compare them?
219.What does Melinda finally decide to do about the Andy and Rachel/Rachelle situation? Why do you
think she decides to do anything at all?
Chapter 71—“Growing Pains”
220.Why does Melinda decide Mr. Freeman is a jerk?
221.How does she react to her current frustration?
Chapter 72—“Gag Order”
222.What does Melinda write about for her extra-credit assignment? Why do you think she picked this
topic?
223.What does Mr. Neck tell her when she turns in her project? Do you think Melinda will do it? Why or
why not?
Chapter 73—“No Justice, No Peace”
224.Why is Melinda given this extra part of the assignment? To whom does Melinda go for advice? Why
does she choose this person?
225.What is the Plan? Do think it is effective? Why or why not?
226.How does Mr. Neck react to the Plan? Do you think Melinda’s punishment is fair? Why or why not?
Chapter 74—“Advice From a Smart Mouth”
227.Why does Melinda think David should be a judge?
228.Why does David agree with the grade Melinda received on her extra credit project?
229.What do we discover about Melinda and David’s relationship in the middle of page 159?
Chapter 75—“The Beast Prowls”
230.Who comes in to the art room while Melinda is working on her tree? How does she react?
231.What does he ask her? How does she respond? Do you think he remembers or recognizes her?
232.What metaphor does Melinda use for herself fin the second-to-last paragraph on page 161?
233. How does Ivy silently give Melinda back-up during the encounter? How does she verbally give her
back up after Andy and Rachel/Rachelle leave?
Chapter 76—“Home Sick”
234.What are the requirements for a mental health day?
Chapter 77—“Oprah, Sally Jessy, Jerry, and Me”
235.What does Melinda discover about her situation when she’s home sick? Who helps her figure it out?
Chapter 78—“Real Spring”
236.Contrast Melinda’s front yard and those of her neighbors.
237.What does Melinda help her Dad to do?
238.What does Melinda ask her father to get at the store? How is this a breakthrough for Melinda?
Chapter 79—“Fault!”
239.Why does Melinda think that tennis is the only sport that comes close to not being a “total waste of
time”?
240.Why does the game between Nicole and Melinda become “no joke”?
241.Melinda says she’s “tough enough to play and strong enough to win.” Does this apply just to tennis?
Explain.
Chapter 80—“Yearbooks”
242.What is the “yearbook ritual”?
243.Why do all the popular kids kiss up to Todd Ryder?
Chapter 81—“Hairwoman No More”
244.Describe the change in Hairwoman.
Chapter 82—“Little Writing on the Wall”
245.How does Melinda end up with a rainbow on her shirt?
246.What conversation do Melinda and Ivy have through the bathroom stall?
247.What graffiti does Melinda add to the wall?
Chapter 83—“Prop Preparation”
248.Who comes “bellycrawling” to Melinda for help?
249.How does Heather feel about being a Martha?
250.Why does Heather have to decorate for prom by herself? What does Heather offer in return for
Melinda’s help?
251.Does Melinda agree to help her? Why or why not? Do you think she made the right choice?
Chapter 84—“Communication 101”
252.When does Melinda decide to talk to Rachel/Rachelle?
253.How does Melinda break the ice with her? Why does Rachel/Rachelle stop talking to her abruptly?
254.How does their conversation evolve?
255.What does Melinda finally tell Rachel/Rachelle?
256.How does Rachel/Rachelle react when Melinda tells her who did it?
Chapter 85—“Chat Room”
257.What does Ivy show Melinda?
258.Melinda says she feels like “she can fly.” What does that mean?
Chapter 86—“Pruning”
259.Where does Melinda end up on her bike ride?
260.How is Melinda like a seed?
Chapter 87—“Prowling”
261.Describe Melinda’s family interactions after she gets back from her bike ride. To what can you
attribute the changes in Melinda’s attitude?
262.Why do you think Melinda is anxious?
Chapter 88--“Postprom”
263.What was the “damage” from prom?
264.What did Rachel/Rachelle do at prom?
Chapter 89—“Prey”
265.What thought hits Melinda in the head in algebra?
266.What does Melinda witness between Rachel/Rachelle, Greta-Ingrid, and Andy Evans?
267.Why does Melinda leave the door to her closet cracked while she’s cleaning it out?
268.Who traps her in the closet?
269.What does he say to her? What does Melinda say (scream)?
270.How does Melinda get the upper hand on Andy Evans?
271.Who comes to Melinda’s aid?
Chapter 90—“Final Cut”
272.Why is Melinda staying after school on the very, very last day of school?
273.Why do you think Melinda is final able to “breathe life” into her tree?
274.Why is Melinda “suddenly popular”?
275.Why do you think Melinda gets an A+ on her art project?
276. How has Melinda at the end of the book changed from Melinda at the beginning of the book?