A Disgrace to the Profession

Authors Will Speak at Your Book Club or Discussion Group

Have humor and insights, will travel

West Des Moines, IA - June 20, 2004 -- Gretchen and Charles are proving to be a big hit at book clubs, having shared evenings with dozens of groups already and looking forward to more on the calendar this summer and fall. The authors are available to autograph books, answer questions about how they wrote their story, and help readers probe into both the story and the issues it raises about challenges in education today. They are also happy to read from the novel.

Contact us to book an engagement--we have more days or evenings in 2004 that could be saved for you. We do not charge for these appearances, though the conversation is priceless!

Discussion Guide for Reader Circles and Book Clubs

Discussion Guide for Reader Circles and Book Clubs

This list of questions was written by Newton & Kauffman to help reader groups conduct discussions about "A Disgrace to the Profession." You're welcome to duplicate the guide. Email us your responses and we'll post them on the web!

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. Explore the relationships of Karen with her mother, with her colleagues, and with Nick. What role doe she assume in each? If the relationship(s) change in the book, how does the change affect the relationship(s)?

2. What management style does principal Aneyh use to lead the Bancroft High staff? What are the consequences of his leadership?

3. Des Moines Register columnist Marc Hansen said this about A Disgrace to the Profession: “Most administrators will want to burn it.” Why might the book appeal more to teachers than to administrators? How true do you think this statement is?

4. Discuss the last day of school breakup of Karen and Nick. Why does Karen snap? What motives drive her reaction to Nick’s request? How does she come to terms with her behavior?

5. Discuss Nick’s thoughts as he drives home from Karen’s on the last day of school. What must he sort out in order to finally accept or reject his relationship with Karen?

6. Discuss the role of humor in the novel.

7. Cast a movie version of A Disgrace to the Profession. Discuss the strengths the actors would bring to their screen roles.

8. A Disgrace to the Profession dramatizes some problems with public education from the point of view of teachers. However, the book offers no solutions. Discuss one (or more) of the problems and suggest a process for finding a solution that would lead to a positive change.

9. Nick is a crusader. For what is he fighting? Why do some of the book’s characters consider him a lethal weapon?

10. What sort of lasting impression did Nick make on Bancroft High?

11. Which character changes the most during the story? In what ways does he/she change?

12. Why did this club choose A Disgrace to the Profession? How satisfied are you with the choice? To what sort of audience will you recommend this book?