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What were your overall thoughts on the book? What can you take away from it for your own life? How did it make you feel?

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In the letter to Grayson, Finn writes: "An old acting teacher of mine in college used to say that "risk taking is free." He was so wrong. It's not free. You took a risk and now I'm sure you're contending with everything in its wake. Risk taking is not free, but I can assure you, it's worth it." (p. 238-239). What are your thoughts about this message? What was the biggest risk you ever took? What were its consequences? Was it worth it?

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Sebastian says "to be brave, you have to be scared at the same time. To be brave means there's something important you have to do and you're scared, but you do it anyway." (p. 234). What do you think of his definition? Was he brave? Was Mr. Finn brave? Was Grayson brave?

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Did you expect Mr. Finn to leave right away, without even saying goodbye? Do you think that was the right thing to do? Why do you think he did it?

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Do you think Jack intended to hurt Grayson? Before the attack happens he apologizes (to who?) and then he walks away before Ryan and Tyler do anything. But he was there at first. Why doesn't Grayson tell the principal that? How is this all going to affect their relationship?

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One message of the play comes on page 223: "Good guys are supposed to win But she only wins halfway." How can this be applied to Grayson and to Mr. Finn? Who are the good guys of this book? Did they win? Explain.

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What kind of trouble should Ryan and Tyler get in? Why?

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When Grayson fractures his wrist he asks for a pink cast. Aunt Sally is upset but Uncle Evan says Grayson can do whatever he wants. What do you think of the choice? Is Grayson expressing who they really are? Are they putting themselves in danger?

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What do we learn about Sebastian on page 217? What kind of a person is he?

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Just like the birds, the idea of light and dark keeps coming up again and again. Grayson constantly feels both of them. What is light in their life and what is dark? Does everyone have light and dark like this?

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How are you feeling about chapter 32? We learn in it that Mr. Finn wasn't talking to Grayson because Mr. Shiner, the principal, made an agreement with him that he couldn't. Then we learn that Mr. Finn is leaving the school for a job in New York. Mr. Finn tells Grayson that he has nothing to apologize for and that he believes in him. And when Grayson finally puts on the golden gown he (she) says "I finally see myself the way I'm supposed to be--my inside self matched up with my outside self." (p 214). There's a lot in this chapter so what are your thoughts about it?

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Paige's mom Marla says she agrees with Mr. Finn giving Grayson the part of Persephone. She says "Sometimes people make important choices that happen to be risky" and that it was an "extremely noble" decision. Did you realize in the beginning of the book how risky this would be for Mr. Finn? Do you agree that it was noble? What does noble mean to you?

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Pages 206-207 talk about the bathrooms at school. Grayson really wants to go into the girls one but thinks Paige would think he's a freak if he does. Do you think that feeling makes him a freak? Do you think Paige would think that? Do you think that there are kids at our school who struggle like Grayson does with figuring out which bathroom fits them? What can we do to support these students?

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Finn smiles when he sees Grayson in the pink shirt with the sequined heart. Did you expect this? Why is he smiling?

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While preparing for the debates, Finn tells the class "Something I believe in...is that it builds character to stand in someone else's shoes. You know, to try to see things from another perspective." (p. 199). How do you feel about this? Have you tried it before? What happened? Is it easy or hard?

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Pages 196-198 are tough. Aunt Sally says she has Grayson's best interests at heart because she's trying to keep him safe. Uncle Evan believes that Mr. Finn "really does have his students' best interests at heart" (p. 198). Grayson is trying to tell everyone what he really wants - to have that part. So what should be done? It seems like everyone has good intentions - they want what is best for Grayson. But who should get to decide what that is? Why?

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Ms. Landen says on page 193: "I have a theory that sometimes, everything needs to fall apart before it can come back together the way it's supposed to." Here she's talking about rehearsals being hard the weeks before the performances of the play starts, but it feels like her message is bigger than that. How do you feel about her theory? Does it hint at what's happening in Grayson's world and what will happen in the future?

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On page 191 Grayson thinks that Finn hates him. Do you think he does? Do you think he blames him for what's happening? If he could do it again, do you think Finn would still pick Grayson to be Persephone? Why or why not?

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What do you think is going to happen between Aunt Sally and Grayson now that she joined the PTA and is accusing Mr. Finn of being inappropriate? Will Grayson convince her to change her mind? Will she accept him for who he is? Will she keep blaming Mr. Finn and stay angry?

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At the end of chapter 28, Grayson thinks about quitting the play. He thinks that if he quits that it will help Mr. Finn keep his job. Should Grayson quit? Why or why not?

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On page 183-184 Ryan tells Grayson that Mr. Finn is being fired because of him and his aunt. Do you think this is true? If it is, is it right or fair? Why or why not?

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Grayson misses playing basketball with Jack in his room. Do you think they'll ever be close like that again? Why or why not?

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Grayson buys some tops in the girls section of the thrift store. They're pink and purple and "girly". He wears them to school but only under a zipped up hoodie so that no one else can see them. Why? Why wear them and not show it? How do our clothing choices make us feel about ourselves? How do our clothing choices affect what others think about us?

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When Ryan and his brother are harassing Grayson in chapter 26, Paige steps in to defend him. What do you think of this? But when Mr. Finn sees them Grayson asks Paige not to tell him what just happened. Why doesn't Grayson want his teacher to know he's being bullied?

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Sebastian's best friend Ryan likes to tease Grayson. How does Sebastian respond? What do you think he is thinking or feeling?

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By now you should have noticed that birds keep showing up throughout the book. Birds, and more specifically the Phoenix, are a symbol in this text. What do they represent? Why are they important to Grayson?

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When all the girls braid Grayson's hair he says "I feel almost guilty--like I just cheated on a test and didn't get caught." (p. 158). Then on page 159 he says: "I let them treat me like I was a stupid doll or something. Anyway, what real girl wears a million crooked braids all over her head, sticking out all over the place. Real girls wear regular shirts, pants, skirts, jackets, and shoes, not crazy, exaggerated porcupine braids that make them look like an idiot. This was all just a big joke to everyone." Are there hairstyles that are just for boys or just for girls? Can boys wear braids? Why or why not? And what were the girls doing? Were they trying to be nice and include her or were they making fun of her? Why do you think that?

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Finn keeps showing up late to rehearsals. What do you think is going on?

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Part 2 ends on page 151 with Grayson thinking: "What do you already know? I am a girl." What do you think will happen as we get into part 3 of the book?

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Uncle Evan offers to help Grayson memorize his lines. What do you think of this. But then he calls Grayson "son" and Grays says it feels "like a slap". Why does Grayson feel this way? Did Uncle Evan do anything wrong?

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Do you think Aunt Sally meant it when she said Grayson was a monster? Is he one?

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On page 145 Jack says to his parents: "It's all about what Grayson wants. That's how it's always been. You don't even care about me." How's Jack reacting to everything? Imagine being a 5 year old and suddenly your 4 year old cousin comes to live with you. How might that affect you?

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What do you think of Paige in chapter 22? Grayson says he should protect himself but then he smiles at her. Is she genuinely being nice to him or is it an act? What makes you think that?

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What do you think Dr. Shiner, the principal, said to Finn in chapter 21? What do you think the principal should do - let Grayson have the part of Persephone or say no? Why?

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Grayson thinks Amelia is being a coward (pg. 132). Amelia hasn't talked to her since the day in the shop when Grayson tried on the skirt. Is she being a coward? Why or why not?

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How do the other members of the cast react when they find out that Grayson got the lead female role? Is this what you expected?

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Knowing that his parents would have supported him and accepted him is really important to Grayson. He keeps imagining them putting their hands on his shoulder and having his back. Is this a big deal to you? How does it make you feel when you know your parents will support your decisions?

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One reason that Aunt Sally didn't want Grayson to dress like a girl when he was younger was because Jack was picking on him. She wanted them to be friends and get along and didn't think they could unless Grayson behaved like a boy. Is this a good reason for having Grayson change?

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Aunt Sally thinks that Mr. Finn, the teacher, overstepped his role and she wants to go to the principal. Mr. Finn says he can help Grayson figure out who he is and what to say to the other kids and how to handle any teasing/bullying. What is a teacher's job? Is he doing too much? Should he be involved in this or is this a family issue?

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Jack says that Grayson is gay. Do you think he is? Why or why not?

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Aunt Sally is worried about Grayson being teased if he takes this role and she insists that the dressing up was just a phase. How do you feel about what she's saying? Should she stop him from being in the play? Will that protect him or hurt him?

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Chapter 18 is pretty heavy. Uncle Evan and Aunt Sally tell Grayson some more information about what he was like when he first joined their family. They both seem to have very different feelings about Grayson's behavior. We also learn that Grayson got the part in the play. Uncle Evan seems supportive of it but Aunt Sally is angry. What are your thoughts on this chapter? How do you feel about the adults' reactions? What about Grayson's reaction?

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How do Aunt Sally and Uncle Evan react to the letters? How did you expect them to react? What do you think they'll do next?

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What did we learn from the letters that Grayson's mom wrote? How will these affect Grayson?

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In chapter 14, Grayson finally tries on a skirt and Amelia sees. How does she respond? How do you think you'd respond if you were her? Grayson thinks she'll tell all the other girls and they'll laugh at him. Do you think she will?

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What do you think is going on with Grayson's cousin Jack? Why is he so mean? Is this just typical 7th grade boy attitude - everything is dumb and you don't care about anything? Or could there be something else?

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This play deals with the main character's struggle to get home and get back to her family. How does Grayson connect with the story?

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Grayson wants to try out for the part of Persephone in the play, the lead female role. Should the teachers let him? Why or why not?

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What do you think of Grayson's aunt and uncle so far? Why?

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What do you think of Finn, Grayson's teacher? Why?

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Why does Grayson sign up to audition for the play? How's he been feeling and how could this help change that?

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In chapter 10 Grayson goes back to eating lunch in the library. Why? Do you think it was the right choice? Why or why not?

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Grayson says it must be weird to have 1 boy sit at lunch with 5 girls. Is that weird? Why or why not? Does it happen at our school?

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Before 3rd grade, Grayson was friends with some of the girls. Why didn't he stay friends with them? What do you think happened or changed?

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Grayson and Amelia hang out together every Saturday. His aunt and uncle like it but hint that they're dating and not just friends. Can a boy be best friends with a girl? Why or why not?

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Grayson doesn't like to visit his grandma in the nursing home. What are some possible reasons why, both from what is said in chapter 7 and what's not said?

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Grayson notices how very different boys and girls clothes are while shopping. What do you think of when you think of typical girl clothing? What about boy clothing? Should there be separate girls and boys sections in stores? Why or why not?

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Now that you know a little of Grayson's history, does his behavior make sense? A therapist told him he needs to stop isolating himself. Both of his parents died when he was 4 and then his best friend left in 2nd grade. Is isolating yourself a normal response to that kind of stuff?

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Grayson's best friend Emma moved away in 2nd grade. Grayson hasn't had any friends since then. He asks Amelia to go shopping with him but then thinks "I could be making a huge mistake." (p. 27). What is he worried about? Do you think trying to be her friend is a mistake?

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Grayson says his imagination is disappearing now that he's in 6th grade and he's "getting way too old to pretend." (p 26). Does your imagination fade as you get older? Is there an age where it's no longer ok to play make believe?

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Who is Emma and why is she important?

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What does Grayson usually do for lunch? How long has this been going on? What changes now?

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How does Grayson usually handle partner activities? Why?

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Grayson used to have "gigantic temper tantrums" when he first moved in with his aunt and uncle. Now he's better able to control his anger but he still feels "the urge to explode". (p. 13). What do you think makes him so upset?

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What did Grayson used to see when he looked in the mirror at himself? What does he see now? What does this tell us about him?

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Grayson says: "nobody wants to be lonely -- unless they have to be. Unless it's their only choice." (p. 11). What does this mean? Why would someone choose to be lonely? Why would they have to be lonely?

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Who does Grayson live with? (page 9 helps). Why do you think they are with them? What happened to their parents?

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What do we learn about Amelia in chapters 1 and 2?

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On page 10 Grayson seems to have an odd memory. They talk about seeing a girl hiding in their basement. What do you think this is all about?

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What inference can you make about Grayson's mom from what you read on page 5?

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Mr. Finn, Grayson's humanities teacher, is teaching the class about people who resisted the Nazis. He asks "How would you feel if you were going about your life, day to day, all the while hiding a dangerous secret." (p. 6). How would you feel? What secret does Grayson seem to be hiding? How does Grayson respond to the question?

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Grayson enjoys drawing princesses but has to make them abstract so nobody will be able to tell what they are. He says he can't draw what he really wants to because: "that's not what boys are supposed to do." (p. 4). Are there rules about what boys can draw and what girls can draw? Who makes those rules?

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Does the title of the book make sense to you now? How is grandpa the Fourteenth Goldfish?

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Were you surprised that grandpa left? Do you think he should have stayed or was it good for him to leave?

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Salk said "Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors." (p. 181). What does this mean?

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Grandpa flushes the T. Melvinus down the toilet and chooses not to share his discovery with the world. He says "Science is powerful. There are always consequences--wonderful and terrible" (p. 181). He realizes that this discover has too many scary consequences. Were you surprised that he changed his mind?

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The play "Our Town" teaches Ellie some things: "life is precious and we don't realize that at the time. But maybe life's also precious because it doesn't last forever." (p. 177). What do you think of this? Do you think we appreciate life enough?

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Ellie has so many great questions in this chapter. She wonders if this discovery will ruin the world. If everyone stops aging, who will be the grown-ups and the ones in charge? What's so wrong with growing old? She is clearly questioning this discovery and whether it's a good or bad thing. What do you think? Should the world know that there's a way to be young again?

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Ellie tries to get her grandpa to watch movies with her but he's busy with his work. She tries to get him to come to the museum, but again he's busy. What does this show about him? How is this going to affect his relationship with his family?

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Who do you think is right in the argument that grandpa and mom have in this chapter? Can he tell her what to do just because he's her dad? Does he have to listen to her now that he's in a kid's body?

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How is what Melvin (grandpa) doing similar to what the Egyptians did with mummies?

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When Ellie talks to Brianna in this chapter she says she doesn't feel the pain that she used to. It's not as bad because she's moved on. What makes losing a friendship easier?

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Ellie thought Marie Curie was so cool. In this chapter though she just learned that her discovery actually killed her. Do you think this will change her opinion of science and scientists?

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Now that they have the jellyfish, what do you think will happen next? Grandpa thinks he'll win a Nobel Prize. Do you think he'll become famous and win the award for his work?

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What do you think of Ellie's plan to get into the lab? Do you think it will work? Why or why not?

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Grandpa sneaks some wine. He says he can have it because technically he's old enough. But his 14 year old body can't handle it and he gets sick. What do you think would be the most frustrating part about being an adult in a kid's body?

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Grandpa has to take pain pills because his legs hurt. He says it's growing pains. Do you think that's all it is or do you think there's side effects from his experiment? Why?

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Which present is Ellie's favorite? Which one would you have liked better? How do you you think mom feel about this?

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This chapter talks about how kids make a bigger deal out of birthdays than adults do. Do you think this is true? Why does that happen?

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When Ellie tells her grandpa to have fun he says "Fun? What a waste of time." (p. 128). Do you think he ever had fun in his life or was he always like this?