Louder Than Words Reading Guide
WARNING: The questions may contain spoilers
1. A constant theme of Louder Than Words
is how opposite
words and actions can be and how difficult it can be to choose between them
when assessing friend or foe. What are some of the examples of this you recall
from the novel?
2. Louder Than Words
touches on several
troubling or weighty subjects; what are they? Do you think they are presented
in an appropriate and/or impactful way? How so?
3. Despite the dark circumstances of
Ellen's life, there are also some comic lines or moments. What were some of
your favorites and what do you think those lines, moments or scenes revealed
about the characters?
4. Ellen often focuses on the actions--or
lack thereof--of bystanders to bullying. Are bystanders who do or say nothing
guilty of bullying too or are they also victims? Have you ever witnessed
bullying and if so what thoughts went through your head? Why is bullying so
hard to stop? What steps has your community taken to prevent bullying? How
effective have they been?
5. Gracie is one of Ellen's antagonists,
yet Ellen tells us they used to be friends before Gracie's mother decided bad
karma was contagious. Have you ever had a friend turn on or abandon you because
of something outside of your control? What did you do about it?
6. Many of the adults in Louder Than Words
behave
horribly--Ellen's mother, Mr. Hamer, Gracie's mother, the gym teacher--and
betray Ellen's trust. Have you ever been
betrayed by an authority figure and if so, how did it shape your ability to
trust others in similar positions?
7. If Louder Than Words were told from Rex's point of view,
how different do you think your perception of Ellen would be?
8. Why do you think Ellen didn't even
tell her brother about Mr. Hamer's attempted seduction? Have you ever had an
experience you decided to keep to yourself? How did not telling affect you?
9. Teachers having affairs with high
school students is not an uncommon event. Has this ever happened in your
community? What were the reactions?
10. Ellen's unrequited love is sometimes
painful to experience from her point of view, yet at the end she discovers her
perception has been flawed. Why do you think she was so detached from seeing
the possibilities? Have you ever had experiences or feelings like hers and if
so, how did you move past them?
11. Ellen's weak self-confidence and body
image are frequently in the spotlight. How can society do a better job
instilling confidence in young girls and empower them to not suffer in silence?
12. What do you think the author wanted
you to learn from Louder
Than Words?
