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Literature Discussion Prompts for Middle School Students

Theme: Friendship

  1. How does the main character's friendship change throughout the story? What events or actions lead to these changes? (RL.6.3)
  2. What qualities make a good friend? How do the characters in the story demonstrate these qualities? (RL.6.1)
  3. Why is friendship important? How does the story illustrate the value of friendship? (RL.6.2)
  4. Compare and contrast the friendships in two different books. How are they similar? How are they different? (RL.6.9)
  5. What challenges do the characters face in their friendships? How do they overcome these challenges? (RL.6.3)
  6. How does the theme of friendship relate to your own life? Can you think of a personal experience that connects to the story? (RL.6.2)
  7. What lessons about friendship can be learned from the story? How can these lessons be applied to real-life situations? (RL.6.2)
  8. Do you think the characters' friendships will last beyond the events of the story? Why or why not? (RL.6.3)
  9. How does the author use language and imagery to convey the importance of friendship? (RL.6.4)
  10. What role does trust play in the friendships depicted in the story? How is trust earned and maintained? (RL.6.2)

Theme: Courage

  1. What does it mean to be courageous? How do the characters in the story demonstrate courage? (RL.6.1)
  2. What challenges or obstacles do the characters face that require courage? How do they overcome these challenges? (RL.6.3)
  3. How does the theme of courage relate to your own life? Can you think of a personal experience that connects to the story? (RL.6.2)
  4. Compare and contrast the acts of courage in two different books. How are they similar? How are they different? (RL.6.9)
  5. What lessons about courage can be learned from the story? How can these lessons be applied to real-life situations? (RL.6.2)
  6. Do you think the characters' acts of courage were worth the risks they took? Why or why not? (RL.6.3)
  7. How does the author use descriptive language to convey the bravery of the characters? (RL.6.4)
  8. What role does fear play in the characters' acts of courage? How do they overcome their fears? (RL.6.3)
  9. How does the story challenge traditional notions of bravery? (RL.6.9)
  10. What are some examples of everyday acts of courage that you can relate to the story? (RL.6.2)

Theme: Identity

  1. How does the main character's identity change throughout the story? What events or experiences lead to these changes? (RL.6.3)
  2. What factors shape a person's identity? How do the characters in the story grapple with their own identities? (RL.6.1)
  3. How does the theme of identity relate to your own life? Can you think of a personal experience that connects to the story? (RL.6.2)
  4. Compare and contrast the struggles with identity in two different books. How are they similar? How are they different? (RL.6.9)
  5. What lessons about identity can be learned from the story? How can these lessons be applied to real-life situations? (RL.6.2)
  6. Do you think the characters' identities are fully resolved by the end of the story? Why or why not? (RL.6.3)
  7. How does the author use symbolism to explore the characters' identities? (RL.6.4)
  8. What role does acceptance play in the characters' journeys of self-discovery? How do they find acceptance? (RL.6.3)
  9. How does the story challenge societal expectations and stereotypes about identity? (RL.6.9)
  10. What are some examples of identity struggles that you can relate to the story? (RL.6.2)