Bystander

How does Eric being a newcomer influence his actions and decisions as well as those of others at school? How does his arrival disrupt the status quo?

Why do you think Griffin turns on Eric and decides to steal from him when he visits his house in Chapter 15?

Why do other students follow Griffin? What traits make him appealing and allow him to remain in a leadership position despite his behavior?

How do the school’s anti-bullying programs affect the students’ behavior? What actions and events after the fact prove they were effective in changing some students’ minds?

Griffin and Cody are both bullies prone to violence; however, they are not the same. How is Cody different from Griffin, and what do Cody’s actions toward the end of the novel say about him?

What factors influence David Hallenback to continue to seek acceptance from Griffin’s group despite their constant abuse?

What role (or roles) does Mary O’Malley play in the novel? How do her actions lead to change at the school?

Why do you think Griffin stops bullying Eric? What are three factors that may have led to this decision?