Peck’s Questions

There are ten questions to ask yourself when reading a novel. Most questions have to do with your own personal opinion and why is it that you think that way. 

l. What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex?

2. Why is the story set where it is?

3. If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY?

4. If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY?

5. How is the main character different from you?

6. Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not?

7. What one thing in the story has happened to you?

8. Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If

nothing, why did you continue to read?

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

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

I believe that by asking yourself these ten questions you will understand better why is it that you loved or disliked the novel. You also gain a deeper understanding of characters, setting, and author. It would be great to share these questions with young adults and even make some bookmarks to give to those that read novels.