Since I raised my three children in the suburbs, I kept wondering what it is like to grow up in an apartment building I loved everything–the people, the parks, the libraries, the concerts, the walking, the languages being spoken. Why did you decide to change your location and actually make New York City a character?Ī: When I had an apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (right where Mitty lives), I fell in love with the city. This one features New York City as its prime location. Q: Many of your books are set in suburban Connecticut. Discuss how Mitty develops a stronger sense of patriotism and decides to go with the woman he believes is from the CDC.What is the meaning of being a good citizen? Mitty realizes that turning himself in to the proper authorities could mean life or death-not only for him, but also for millions of people. Who are the bad guys in this story? How do you think people such as terrorists justify killing innocent people? Can you think of any cause that would lead you to violent action?Ĩ. When Mitty sends out a general e-mail asking for information on the scabs he has found, he has no idea who might reply.

The FBI and the CDC come to Mittys school seeking information. Can you understand his parents point of view?Ħ. Discuss the complex relationship between Mitty and his parents. Often teenagers do not confide in their parents, even though their parents want to know whats going on. How do Mitty and Olivia signal their interest to each other? Do male and female approaches to romantic involvement differ? How?ĥ. Mitchell John Blake and Olivia Clark are classmates and friends, yet each wants more from their friendship. Except for laboratory samples, variola major, a killer virus, has been eliminated by scientists.How can people feel safe despite the threat of bioterrorism? How involved should government become with scientific research?Ĥ. How does where you live change your view of the world?ģ. How do his relationships with his friends, the people in his neighborhood, and his family change as the story develops? How does Mitty himself change? Discuss Mittys feelings about his “hometown,” New York City. Discuss how the Internet is as important as any character in this novel.Ģ.

Lynch, requires a bibliography that includes at least four physical books, so that students research is not done exclusively online. In Chapter One, Mitty learns that the term paper assigned by his biology teacher, Mr.

Code orange by caroline b cooney