If I Ever Get Out of Here

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. How does music make you feel? Why is it important to you? In what ways might it be important to others?

Teaching Suggestion: Lewis and George bond over their musical interests; this is one way in which the theme of The Unifying Nature and Healing Power of Music is apparent. Also, each chapter takes its title from a song by either the Beatles or Wings. Encouraging students to consider the role of music in their lives can prepare them to think critically about the role it plays in Gansworth’s novel. You can also build on this theme by creating a class playlist of songs important to students and/or those songs mentioned in the novel.

2. Have you ever read a book centered around an Indigenous character? If so, which book or books? If not, why do you think that might be?

Teaching Suggestion: Use this question to introduce or review terms like “Indigenous,” “Native peoples,” and “Native American” and to think about specific ways to avoid stereotypes and assumptions about Indigenous peoples.