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

1. Explain how Jordan’s relationship with his grandfather helps him make positive choices in his life.

• How does Jordan apply advice from his grandfather to make a positive choice or choices? (topic sentence)
• Explain what problem Jordan is facing, what his grandfather tells him about it, how Jordan applies the advice, and what the positive outcome is for Jordan.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, show how these ideas support the novel’s theme of Finding Confidence in Middle School and Balancing Friendships Across Social Class.

2. Explain how microaggressions by other students and staff at RAD impact Jordan.

• What impact do the microaggressions that Jordan faces at RAD have on him? (topic sentence)
• Give at least three examples of microaggressions by students and staff and show how these microaggressions impact Jordan.