1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Westover’s experience is truly unusual. How much did you know about the book and its author before reading? Did this awareness prepare you for the shocking story Westover tells?
• What other memoirs by people overcoming difficult or marginalized childhoods have you read? Was this one more or less compelling? Which types of autobiographical stories do you connect with most?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and arguments with their personal experiences and perspectives

• Westover’s love of learning, once she is allowed to access it, shines through. How does her experience of finally getting the ability to explore the world compare to how you remember high school or college? Did you have the same awe? 
• Which aspects of Westover’s relationships with her siblings spoke to your experiences? Are the supportive and abusive dynamics she describes relatable or familiar? 
• Was the ending of the memoir satisfying? Should a memoir have a satisfying ending that wraps everything up, or an open-ended conclusion that leaves questions unanswered?
• How did you feel about the mentor figures in Westover’s life, such as Tyler and Dr. Kerry? Conversely, how did you feel about would-be supporters, like Charlie and Audrey, who ended up buckling when Westover most needed them? What does it mean to have supportive people alongside you during difficult times? 

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