The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“An Alter Ego”

In this activity, students will identify their own alter ego to overcome difficult realities based on textual details.

Adam selects an alter ego to help him face the reality of his mother’s mental illness and the effect it has on his OCD. Consider the alter ego you would choose to face a difficult challenge or fear. What character attributes and special talents would your alter ego possess? Create a drawing or rendition of your alter ego outlining specific character traits that will help you overcome your fear or challenge. Consider these points as you create your alter ego:  

• Which insecurities or personal struggles could your alter ego help you resolve?
• What special character attributes will your alter ego have that will assist in your challenge?
• How might your alter ego’s appearance, costume, or mannerisms increase your confidence in overcoming your challenge?

Present your alter ego to your peers, highlighting character attributes, mannerisms, and strengths.

Teaching Suggestion: Consider asking students to brainstorm personal struggles and fears that individuals may have difficulty overcoming, such as public speaking or anxiety. Explain to students that they do not need to divulge their struggles to others, but reflecting on their personal struggles will help them create character attributes for their alter ego. For example, the student’s alter ego may have characteristics of bravery to overcome a fear of public speaking. Students may feel more comfortable sharing the characteristics of their alter egos in small groups or in written form.

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 bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Consider the novel’s title, The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B.

• Who do you believe is the unlikely hero referred to in the title? (topic sentence)
• Consider the character you believe the book’s title references. Explain why you believe this character is a hero based on their actions and traits. Then describe why you think the character is an “unlikely” hero.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe the character you chose to be the only hero, or if there may be more than one hero in the narrative.

2. At the novel’s conclusion, Adam is living with his father while his mother is in treatment.

• Which questions does the novel leave unanswered? (topic sentence)
• Describe three situations that remain unresolved at the conclusion of the novel. What risks does each pose?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, choose one of these unresolved situations and provide your prediction for what will happen.

3. The novel is written in the third-person limited point of view from Adam’s perspective.

• How might the novel’s themes or narrative be different had it been told from a different perspective? (topic sentence)
• Choose two or three of the novel’s themes, narratives, or important plot points that might have been different had the novel been written from any alternative perspective. Cite textual evidence to support your response.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether the author made the right choices in writing the novel as she did.

Full Essay Assignments

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

1. Consider the characters in the novel who exhibit qualities of heroism. In an essay of at least three main points, describe the characters who demonstrate courage or bravery through small actions. How do these acts of heroism relate to the novel’s theme of Real Versus Perceived Heroism? Cite examples from the text to support your response.  

2. Adam and Robyn develop a relationship that Adam later severs because he fears the relationship is unhealthy. Discuss in two or three paragraphs why Adam decided to end his relationship with Robyn, whether the relationship was healthy, and what Adam’s decision indicates about his maturity. Support your response using quotes from the text.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What is one strategy Adam uses to cope with environmental stressors?

A) Mumbling

B) Counting

C) Hiding

D) Lashing out

2. How does Adam’s relationship with Robyn impact his progress in therapy?

A) Robyn hinders Adam’s advancement because he is forced to keep her secrets.

B) Robyn has minimal effect on Adam’s overall progress in therapy.

C) Robyn first inspires Adam to set goals to overcome his perceived shortcomings.

D) Adam’s need to protect Robyn provides him with the courage to confront his mother.

3. How does Adam’s perception of himself change throughout the novel?

A) Adam is only able to recognize his value when he is in a relationship with Robyn.

B) Adam learns that being a true hero means keeping the secrets of loved ones.

C) Adam initially believes himself to be strong but later recognizes his weaknesses.

D) Adam realizes that he must rescue himself before rescuing others.

4. In Chapter 1, Chuck explains that it is important for Adam to tell him about Adam’s mother. Why does Chuck believe this to be an important detail?

A) Chuck believes he can help Adam save his mother.

B) Chuck recognizes the tensions at home between Adam’s parents.

C) Adam’s compulsions are directly related to his mother’s mental health.

D) Adam needs Chuck to identify his mother’s mental health issues before he can recognize them.

5. How does Adam attempt to affect events in the world around him?

A) He ignores the environmental factors that contribute to his anxiety.

B) He believes outward expressions such as rituals control his environment.

C) Adam uses therapy as a way to control internal conflicts.

D) Adam attempts to escape his environment by avoiding his home.

6. How do secrets impact the character growth of the individuals in the novel?

A) Keeping secrets allows the group members to develop maturity in addressing problems.

B) Secrets allow the characters to engage with their alter egos fully.

C) The secrets within the group therapy draw the members closer together.

D) Secrets prevent the group members from overcoming their compulsions and growing.

7. What feeling does Adam often associate with his mother?

A) Anxiety

B) Order

C) Disgust

D) Peace

8. Which of the following is an example of the novel’s Real Versus Perceived Heroism theme?

A) Adam becomes a real hero when he enters a relationship with Robyn.

B) Thor displays perceived heroism when he breaks into Adam’s mother’s home.

C) Adam exhibits real heroism when he calls 911 against his mother’s wishes.

D) Chuck expresses perceived heroism as he attempts to help Adam heal.

9. What is the primary reason Adam performs his OCD rituals?

A) To make emotional bonds with his family

B) To convey a spiritual connection

C) To express wants and desires

D) To protect his loved ones

10. What solidifies the bond between Sweetie and Adam?

A) The lack of parental support they both feel from Carmella

B) The strong connection they feel for their shared father

C) Their shared love of comic books and superheroes

D) Their anxiety and Adam’s coping strategies

11. What is the significance of Adam’s physical height in the novel?

A) It symbolizes his emotional growth.

B) It illustrates his will to survive.

C) It exemplifies his ability to conquer anxiety.

D) It demonstrates his achievement of goals.

12. How is religion represented in the novel?

A) It is described as the only cure for anxiety.

B) It is presented as a place of strict guidelines and rules.

C) It is described as a tool to be used for coping with difficulties.

D) Religion does not play a major role for the characters in the novel.

13. In the novel’s conclusion, what does Adam ultimately determine to be the purpose of lies?

A) They protect others.

B) They provide perspective.

C) They help avoid confrontation.

D) They are coping mechanisms.

14. What lesson does the novel teach about the importance of community?

A) Having a community encourages others to share their belongings.

B) Community contributes to personal growth and healing.

C) Building community is often easy and beneficial.

D) Community assists individuals in academic pursuits.

15. Which of the following statements best describes Adam’s character growth in the novel?

A) Adam learns that being heroic means making decisions that may hurt others.

B) Adam learns to make decisions that make him happy at the expense of others.

C) Adam learns growth is a steady and linear process and that setbacks lead to failure.

D) Adam learns mental illness is too difficult and painful to address.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1) What does the alter ego exercise enable students in Room 13B to do? Why might it be beneficial for therapy?

2) What character changes occur in Robyn over the course of the novel and who or what is responsible for her healing?