Anything But Typical

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Jason uses his story about Bennu to reveal things about himself, to PhoenixBird and to the world at large.

• What does Jason’s story about Bennu reveal about Jason? (topic sentence)
• What do you learn about Jason through his fiction writing that you would not otherwise? Discuss 3 aspects of Jason’s personality that are only revealed through his fiction writing.
• In your conclusion, describe the similarities between Bennu and Jason and explain how Jason’s story makes a point about what it means to be Neurotypical versus Atypical.

2. A reliable narrator is generally thought to be an “honest” one.

• Is Jason a reliable and “honest” narrator? (topic sentence)
• Find examples in the text of Jason being honest, and examples of Jason covering up or portraying only one side of the story.
• In your conclusion, consider why Jason may tell his side of the story in a skewed or slanted way, and how being an Unreliable Narrator helps Jason cope with some of the more difficult aspects of his personality due to ASD.

3. The Greek mythological bird of the phoenix has a special meaning in Anything But Typical.

• What is the significance of the phoenix in the story? (topic sentence)
• What is the significance of Jason’s choosing to name his protagonist Bennu? Consider where phoenixes appear throughout the book, and analyze Jason’s story to explore a deeper meaning associated with the figure of the phoenix and how the phoenix functions in the story.
• In your conclusion, explain how Writing and storytelling allow Jason not only to express himself but also to tell stories of about resurrection and rebirth.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Why do you think Jason’s mom pushed so hard for him to attend mainstream classes in sixth grade, without a one-to-one aide? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this decision?

2. Describe Jason’s relationship with his brother Jeremy. How do Jason and Jeremy express their support and love for each other? Are there any negative aspects to their relationship?

3. Do you agree with Jason’s assertion that boys are not supposed to cry? Have you experienced this cultural expectation? What harm does internalizing this idea do to Jason? What does he have to give up in exchange for adhering to this expectation?