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Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Cameron Boxer and String McBean’s story arcs progress in a similar way.

• Cameron’s and String’s motivations are similar throughout the story. (topic sentence)
• Support your thesis with evidence of Cam’s and String’s motivations at the beginning of the story; then, show evidence of Cam’s and String’s motivations at the end of the story.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Cam and String followed a similar path and relate it to the novel’s theme of Contributing to Something Greater.

2. Cam’s rivalry with Evil McKillPeople helps develop the theme of Cooperation Versus Competition.

• Cam’s choice to team up with Melody for Rule the World communicates the importance and advantages of cooperation. (topic sentence)
• Provide at least three details or quotes from the story to show how Cam’s relationship with Melody and Evil McKillPeople changes throughout the novel from competition to cooperation.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Cam benefits from cooperating with Evil McKillPeople and relate your explanation to the theme of Cooperation Versus Competition.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. How do the various members of the P.A.G. learn about themselves and grow as characters throughout the novel? Examine three characters who change during their time in the P.A.G. Show how their behavior and motivations change throughout their community service. What do they learn from the P.A.G.? Do any of them apply what they’ve learned to their lives outside of the P.A.G.?

Discuss the link between these character transformations and the theme of Contributing to Something Greater. Use evidence from the text to support your ideas, and properly cite your quotations with the page number.

2. Examine the importance of Sycamore’s freeway exit and its symbolism throughout the novel. Why is the exit so important, and what does it represent? How does the exit act as a motif for the theme of The Importance of Community? Use quotations from the story to support the link between the freeway exit and the idea that community is an important thing to preserve. Cite your quotations with the page number.