1. How do Kyle's parents respond to a harassing phone call placed to their home in response to Kyle's involvement in the forming of a GSA club at school? How does this inspire Kyle to stand up for himself in an unusual way?

2. How does Nelson's mother respond to the information that Nelson had an unprotected sexual encounter? What impact does her response have on Nelson?

3. How does Kyle's father react to meeting Jason for the first time? How does this make Kyle feel?

4. What does Nelson's father say to Nelson on the phone? What does this conversation suggest about Nelson's relationship with his father?

5. How does Corey react to the news that Jason is gay? What advice does he give Jason?

6. How does Jason respond to the kiss he has shared with Kyle?

7. How does Kyle react to Nelson's confession of an unprotected sexual encounter? How does this situation impact Kyle?

8. How does Kyle's father react to the fight in which Kyle has recently been involved? Why does this surprise and please Kyle?

9. Why does Jason feel that his father's leaving is his fault? How does Jason's father compare to Kyle and Nelson's fathers in this novel?

10. How does Nelson feel when his father fails to pick him up for their pre-arranged dinner plans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Debra? How can Jason have a girlfriend if he thinks he is gay? Is it possible for Jason to love Debra even though he is gay or bisexual? Why does Jason feel it is important to point out to the reader that he and Debra have been intimate? What does this suggest about Jason's sexuality? How does this relationship add to Jason's confusion over his sexuality? Why does Jason think of Kyle while with Debra? How does he justify this thought to himself? Why does he feel the need to justify these thoughts to himself?

Essay Topic 2

Why does the art teacher encourage Kyle to come out to his parents? How does Kyle feel about the possibility of telling his parents the truth of his sexuality? How does Kyle's mother finally realize her son is gay? How does she react to this information? How does Kyle tell his father the truth of his sexuality? How does Kyle's father react to the news? Why is Kyle convinced that his parents are not supportive of his choices? How do they change his mind?