Paul, What’s Up With The Cats and The End…

Describe the relationship between Karl and his friend Paul.  Why does it work?  Why is it sometimes strained?

What is the deal with the cats?  Why is this significant to Karl?

How does Wonderful Bill change the dynamic, if at all, between Karl and his mom?

How does Paul become the “tough guy” and Gratz become “Uncle Al: the Hero”?

What happens to Karl?  That’s right the book doesn’t tell you.  What do you think becomes of him…what about the rest of the MadMan Underground?

February 2012:  We will be reading Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.  Books will be available for pick up beginning Wednesday, February 1st. 

The New Girl and a Showdown…

Describe “new girl” Marti.  Why is Karl intrigued by her?  Why does Marti qualify to become part of the MadMen underground?

What is Philbin’s and why is it important to Karl?  Who is Mr. Browning?

Karl relieves a particular memory of when he was little and his dad had been angry with him.  His mom had said “Your dad does love you, Tiger, and I know you love him, but try not to be like him, ‘kay?”  Why does Karl’s mom say this to him?  What does this tell you about his parent’s relationship prior to his dad’s death?

There is a showdown in Gratz’s classroom during his “lecture” on Huckleberry Finn.  Many of the MadMen get thrown out of class or leave, why doesn’t Karl?  Does Karl regret his decision to remain in the classroom?

What it means to be a MadMan…

Senior Karl Shoemaker has a plan…to start his senior year off on the right foot and be “normal”.  How does his friend Paul fit into “Operation Be Normal”?

Even in reading the first few chapters, you learn a lot about Karl’s family.  Describe his family life…mom, dad, etc.

What is the MadMan Underground?  Who does it consist of?  What do these “MadMen” seem to have in common?

Who is Coach Gratz and why is he important to Karl?

What is Karl’s nickname and how did he get this “MadMan” worthy label?

Welcome back to all our NKC_BookSpace members.  Starting Wednesday, January 4th, you can pick up your copy of our January book, Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes. 

“Rarely will you read something so lovingly vulgar, so fiercely warm-hearted, and so exuberantly expansive…the culmination comes off like a teenage One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” - Booklist starred review

Questions will be posted soon.  Have a great start to second semester everyone!

Mrs. Y