Can you understand his father? What is his workload like? How might it be difficult to have a child like Albie? Consider: “Any son of mine should be able to spell. How is the A-10 Thunderbolt indicative of their relationship? Consider both sides of story it is easy to understand and sympathize with Albie who, aside from being a neglected child, is the story’s protagonist.

Why is it so difficult? Consider the model plane and Albie’s desire to build it with his father.

Discuss Albie’s relationship with his father.

In what ways is Grandpa Park’s rock metaphor accurate to Albie’s situation? In what ways is it not? Do you agree that the people at the top need the support of those beneath them? If so, why? If not, why not? Why do you think that Albie and Betsy band together? What do they have in common? Why does Darren antagonize the two of them? What is it about Darren that is so appealing that, despite his cruelty, Albie drops Betsy in order to join Darren and his friends in the “cool” group? Why is it that people like Darren find themselves on the top of the social hierarchy? What makes someone cool, and why is it important (or is it)? Why are people like Albie and Betsy left at the bottom? Consider Grandpa Park’s assessment that “Not everybody can be the rock at the top of the rock pile” (1).

Discuss Albie’s social situation at his new school, paying particular attention to his relationships with Betsy and Darren.

Getting a B didn’t feel like the best feeling in the world. Discuss the struggle of being almost… How does it present a different set of challenges than not ever coming close? Discuss Albie’s assessment of B’s: “But I didn’t get an A. Consider: “ ‘Almost, Albie,’ Dad said slowly… ‘isn’t nearly good enough” (151).

Do you consider Albie a normal student? Were you surprised when it was revealed that Albie is not dyslexic? How does the story change-or does it?-if you read Albie as someone with a diagnosable learning disability? Why do you think Albie and his mother were so disappointed when Albie did not test positive for dyslexia? Consider: “The only thing wrong with my brain was my brain” (123).

In which areas does he struggle? In which areas does he excel? Consider: “I’m good at noticing things” (27). What does the title of the novel mean? What is Albie almost? Discuss Albie’s academic situation at school.Discussion Starters for Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff