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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Regan wonder what her parents cannot see?

2. What happens when Regan's chemistry teacher notes the relationship between Regan and Liam?

3. What is going on in Genesee the coming weekend?

4. What does Aly tell Regan she would do someday concerning Liam?

5. Why does Regan go to the Materas' house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Liam say he wants to do to himself and why does he feel this way?

2. What class is Regan anxious to get to that morning and what happens in the class that makes Regan feel great?

3. What thoughts go through Regan's head about the shopping experience with Luna?

4. What does Regan notice about Chris as he is joking with her and what does it remind her of something her mother once says?

5. What two negative experiences does Luna have while at the mall?

6. What happens in the present that makes Regan think of a past incident?

7. Why do Carmen and Regan essentially end their friendship?

8. Describe the interaction between Liam and his father about the topic of baseball.

9. What do Regan and Liam discuss about their father?

10. What does Regan tell Luna when s/he wakes Regan in the middle of the night and how does Luna feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Julie Anne Peters.

2. What in Peters' background may have helped her in writing "Luna"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

4. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

5. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Peters' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Peters' probable agenda concerning that idea.

6. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface? Why or why not?

7. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author? Explain your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Regan remembers an instance from her childhood when Liam begged Mom to remove his penis; she realizes Mom has always known that Liam was really a girl. She does not understand why Mom was not there for Liam. She could have made his life easier by raising him as a girl, but of course, she was scared of Dad's reaction. She should have told Dad so he would not have made Liam feel like a failure as a son. Realizing Mom never questioned the disappearance of her pills that Liam stole for his suicide attempt, Regan suspects her Mom left them out on purpose and begins to fear that her mother is a monster, willing to kill her son because he is actually her daughter.

1. Discuss what might have happened to Liam's mother when he told her to remove his penis that affected her for the rest of her time as a mother. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss the ways in which Liam's life would have been easier if his mother had raised him as a girl. Use examples from your own life and the novel to support your answer.

3. Do you think Liam's mother wanted Liam to commit suicide? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "Luna" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "Luna", Regan grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Luna" might be considered a slice of Regan's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that the book is a "bildungsroman" of Regan O'Neill's life. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Regan as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Regan?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Regan's growth throughout "Luna", do you think "Luna" could be considered Regan's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Luna" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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