November Blues

“I think music in itself is healing,” American musician Billy Joel once said. How does music heal the wounds of different characters in the novel, namely, Mrs. Nelson, Jericho, and Olivia?

What role does language play in the portrayal of the novel’s characters? How does Draper characterize through word choice?

Consider the hardships and social acceptance of teenage pregnancy in a different time period, such as the 1890s. How were teenage mothers treated back then? How would November’s life be different if she had lived in another time?

What does November learn about herself and her future through her pregnancy and the birth of her baby? What has she lost, and what has she gained?

Olivia is often bullied at school for being overweight. Why are students like her often mistreated in a school setting? What measures can teachers and students take to prevent bullying?

Events in the novel unfold in contemporary America. What additional challenges would November face if she lived in another country? Pick a country and research its opinion of and options for teen pregnancy, in comparison to those available in the US.

At first, November doesn’t fully understand that she is bringing another human into this world and that she will have to make many sacrifices and compromises. How important is it for a pregnant teenager to be mentally prepared for parenthood?

Modern society seems to focus only on the social and financial effects of being a teenage mother. What about the mental capacity of a teenager to raise another individual? Is a teenager, in your opinion, psychologically fit to raise a child?