1. What will Mrs. Moriarty be doing in the fall, and how do the two families feel about the California University system? How does Dru's dad feel about his children and college?

2. What does Mike and Dru talk about concerning Tom's stitches and jumping?

3. Where does everyone go from the celebration and what does Dru promise Elisa?

4. Where do Dru and Mike go for a walk and why does this upset Elisa?

5. What does Dru's mother say to Dru after they get home from dinner at Mike's house?

6. How does Elisa feel about going up to the presentation, what does Dru tell her and what does she continue to see?

7. What happens when Dru's family first arrives at Mike's house, how is the dinner and why does Janie irritate Dru?

8. What does Elisa want Dru to warn Tom about and what does Dru say to Tom?

9. Who is Claire, what does Dru discuss with her and what does she ask Dru? What is Dru's response?

10. What does Mike say to Elisa about his feelings towards her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Jumping the Nail" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1, and judge if "Jumping the Nail" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Jumping the Nail" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

There is now a second car and a second drowned girl under the water. They sink to the deepest part of the sea, where no one can find them except those who jump the Nail. Therefore, the jumpers will delve into the deepest part of their insecurities, causing them to be swallowed whole by their insecure motivations. "Jumping the Nail" will return someday because there will always be teenagers with insecurities who are easily influenced by their peers.

1. Discuss what you think is meant by the statement above. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think it is only insecure teens who succumb to peer pressure? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss, in depth, other reasons besides insecurity that a teen might decide to jump off the Nail. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way around. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Jumping the Nail" is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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