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#ReadScottishTeenBooks
Browse our book list along with some book group questions which you might like to consider on your own after reading or discuss with your book group.
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You can also download this guide as word document or PDF at the bottom of the page.
Reading list and book group questions
The Climbers book group questions
- Why is Sully threatened by Nottingham?
- Climbing is a huge part of the youth culture in Sully's village. Are there special places in your community that mean a lot to teenagers?
- Did the ending surprise you in any way? Was it where you thought Keith Gray was taking the story?
Themes: Friendship, rivalry, climbing
Hide and Seek book group questions
- What did you learn about French resistance fighters in the Second World War?
- How does Robin Scott-Elliot create suspense throughout the story?
- Where does Amelie get her bravery from? Do you think she's driven by fear, hope or something else?
Themes: Second World War, spies, bravery
The Summer We Turned Green book group questions
- What kind of stereotypes are explored with regards to the climate protesters at the start of the book? Does this view of the protesters change?
- Do you think it is important for us to be able to think about serious issues like the climate crisis through a humorous lens? Why or why not?
- Why do you think Luke's Dad is so interested in life in the commune?
- Have you ever been to a protest? Why did you go? If you haven't, what kind of issues would you choose to protest about?
Themes: Family, climate crisis, humour, activism
Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu book group questions
- How did Lizzie's relationship with her Wai Gong change throughout the course of the book?
- What is the significance of the goddess Guan Yin for Lizzie's Wai Gong?
- How do Lizzie's friends support her throughout the story? Would you have done anything differently if Lizzie was your friend?
Themes: Family, friendship, young carers, ballroom dancing, Chinese culture
Cardboard Cowboys book group questions
- How does Lenny view his relationship with his parents? Why do you think this is?
- What qualities make someone a good friend? Is Bruce a good friend to Lenny?
- How is homelessness represented in Cardboard Cowboys?
Themes: Family, friendship, homelessness, bullying, body image
The Rewilders book group questions
- What do you think about the project to reintroduce wolves and wildcats to the Scottish Highlands?
- Callum is seen as the school 'bad boy' at the start of the book. Does this view of him change? Why?
- How does Lindsay Littleson create a sense of menace and tension during the adventure?
Themes: Adventure, environmental conservation, bullying, friendship, nature
Only on the Weekends book group questions
- What did you think about the story being written in verse? Did it influence the way you read the book and understood the story?
- How does Dean Atta portray toxic masculinity and internalised homophobia?
- None of the characters in Only on the Weekends are perfect – many of them make mistakes that hurt people around them. What impact does this have on the reader?
Themes: Poetry, LGBTQIA+ relationships, romance, friendship, homophobia
Know My Place book group questions
- Why do you think Stephanie treated Amy the way she did?
- How would you welcome a child who had been in foster care into your family?
- Amy says 'I was like a jigsaw piece in the wrong place. I wouldn't fit, no matter how much you tried to ram me into the space.' Why do you think she feels this way?
Themes: Foster care, family, belonging
Talking History book group questions
- What impact can a very powerful speech have on a community? Can things really be changed just through the power of words?
- Why do you think people still remember the speeches that are featured in this book, even though some of them happened over 100 years ago?
- What did you learn from this book that surprised you?
- If you were going to make a recipe for the perfect speech, what ingredients would you add?
Themes: Social justice, history, activism, politics