Post your responses to Crash here!

Discussion Questions for Crash by Jerry Spinelli

What are some of the problems Crash has to deal with throughout the book?

What is Crash’s family like? What is Penn’s family like? Discuss how you see their qualities reflected in the characters personalities.

How does Crash treat Penn? Why do you think that he does that?

What are some of the things that Crash discovers about himself, about others, and about nature throughout the story? What are some of the discoveries that Crash's family members make about him?

Why can't Penn have a water gun fight with Crash?

What surprises Crash about the race between him and Penn? Why?

Why can't Crash's father take him to the Phillies game?

How is Mike DeLuca different from Penn?

What does Crash think about wearing clothes from a thrift shop?

What leads to the lunchroom fight between Crash and Mike?

Why is Crash shocked when he sees who is going out for cheerleading?

How is Abby different from her brother, Crash?

Who visits Crash, and why is Crash so excited about the visit?

Who does Jane end up dancing with? How does this make Crash feel?

How does Crash's mother react to Abby's appearance on the evening news?

What has happened to Scooter?

After reading Penn's essay, what do you think Penn and Crash have in common?

How does Penn help the team in the Penn Relays?

How do Crash's parents change during the course of this novel?

How does Crash change during the course of this novel?

What is the turning point of the story?

What did you like best about this book? What did you like the least?

If there was one thing you could change about the story, what would it be?