Peck’s Questions AKA 10 Questions to ask about a novel

These questions are generic enough to go with any fiction book. It helps kids make connections to the book, infer, support decisions with evidence from the text, and have critical and analytical thinking. 

Some of the questions could also go with nonfiction books as well, but were designed for a novel.  The fascinating thing about these questions to me is that they were written in 1978. 

Richard Peck's "Ten Questions to Ask About a Novel"

1. What would this story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex? Specify which main character you are discussing.

2. Why is the story set where it is (not what is the setting)?

3. If you were to film this story, what characters would you eliminate if you couldn’t use them all? Why would you eliminate those characters?

4. Would you film this story in black and white or in color? Why?

5. How is the main character different from you? Give at least three ways he/she is different. Specify which main character you are discussing.

6. Why would this story make a good TV series? Give at least three reasons.

7. What’s one thing in this story that has also happened to you?

8. Reread the first paragraph or Chapter 1. What’s in it that makes you read on?

9. If you had to design a new cover for this book, what would it look like?

10. What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth?