Discussion Questions: Personal & Social Impact
Personal Impact
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How did the book change your perceptions of Columbine? Summarize how you saw it before and after reading.
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What impact did this book have on you personally? Have you changed your views on peers with depression? Or others? Are you behaving differently?
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This is dark material: was it difficult to read? What choices by the author made that easier or harder? Which passages were most difficult and most memorable?
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Were you surprised by the community reaction in the aftermath? How do you think your community would react to something similar?
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What if you were able to meet the killers' parents: What would you want to ask or tell them?
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What if you could meet another character in the book: Who would you want to meet and what would you say to them?
Social Impact
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There have been many other school attacks, with more killed at Virginia Tech. Why are all shootings referred to as “Columbine-style” or “another Columbine”? What made Columbine the iconic attack?
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How did Columbine impact life in your own school?
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Do you think this book glorifies Eric and Dylan? Will it encourage copycats?
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What is Zero Tolerance? How is it employed in different schools? Is it effective? Describe some situations where schools have employed it ineffectively and made things worse.
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Is it important that books like Columbine be written? Who should read it?
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How did law enforcement change because of Columbine? Address both prevention and response to attacks.