At the suggestion of a Vermont librarian, I’ve developed some questions akin to my Dairy Queen questions for interested readers. Again, I’m not an English teacher or any sort of book-talk professional; if you come up with better questions, I’d love to hear them.

• Have you read Dairy Queen? (If you haven’t, go get it! Quick!)

• At the end of Dairy Queen, what did you think would happen next? How does The Off Season compare to your expectations? What would you change about the book?

• Many characters in The Off Season face tough decisions, decisions made all the more painful by the expectations of the community, or the expectations they believe the community holds. List some of these decisions. How important do you think community expectations are – in their decisions, and in your own life?

• In the second half of The Off Season, D.J. is separated from her parents during an enormously trying time. How would her experience have changed if they were with her? How would you react in her situation?

• At the end of the first chapter of The Off Season, D.J. says that her description of the Jorgensens’ Labor Day picnic “doesn’t have much to do with anything” in the rest of the book. Do you think that’s true? Why or why not?

• D.J. and Brian have a complex relationship. How does D.J.’s opinion of Brian evolve over the course of The Off Season? What would you do in D.J.’s situation? In Brian’s? Do you agree or disagree with D.J.’s ultimate feelings about him?

• Amber and Dale also have a complicated relationship. How does it differ from Brian and D.J.’s? What makes their relationship more successful? Do you think these two characters are appropriate in a YA novel? How would you react if Amber attended your school?

• The Off Season describes the family’s financial difficulties. Does reading this book affect your views of American farming? Do you think Schwenk Farm will succeed?

• Why is Win’s injury – a rarity in football – included in The Off Season? How does his injury change D.J.? Does it matter that he’s injured at the book’s exact midpoint? What would his recovery be like if D.J. weren’t there?

• Curtis spends much of the book getting in trouble and keeping secrets. What did you think he was doing? Do you think his secrecy is justified? How would you handle such a situation if you were Curtis? If you were one of his classmates?
  
  

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