1. Laura Reed feels passionately about being a
good role model and mentor for her students because she once had a teacher
who played that critical role in her life. Have you ever had a mentor or
friend whose advice and support made all the difference for you in a
difficult situation? Explain what happened.
2. If you’re a parent, how attuned are you to
your child’s behavior and signs of possible bullying? Do you believe
bullying is ever innocent, acceptable or just part of growing up?
3. What is your local school’s policy on
bullying? Is there not only a policy, but an active program to prevent
bullying? If not, should there be?
4. Has your community experienced a tragedy
related to bullying? What actions were taken as a result? Should more have
been done?
5. If a teacher or neighborhood parent reports
that your child has bullied another child, what is your first reaction? Like
Mariah, do you instinctively defend your child, or do you keep an open
mind?
6. What is the parent’s responsibility in
preventing bullying? Do you pay close attention to what your children are
doing online? Do you feel children, especially teens, have a right to
privacy, or is it more important to monitor what’s going on in their lives?
How do you balance those things?
7. In the story, J.C. has been through a lot.
Which incident do you think did the most to shape the man he is today—losing
his brother, or his wife’s betrayal? Has there ever been a defining moment
in your life that shaped who you are?
8. For a time, Misty’s mother is so lost in the
pain of her divorce that she stops paying close attention to the needs of
her children. Have you ever been through such a difficult time that nothing
seems to matter beyond your own pain? What were the circumstances and how
did you overcome that?
9. Mariah Litchfield seems to be using
Annabelle to live out her own lost dream of being a singer. Have you known
parents like this—men or women—who live vicariously through their children
and seem to take their successes or failures too personally? Do you think
that’s good for either parent or child?
10. Paula Vreeland feels she’s losing her touch
as an artist and is frustrated that her current works don’t measure up. Are
there things you once loved doing that as you age you no longer do as well?
Did you give them up in frustration or find a new way to enjoy them?
Keep reading for an excerpt of Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods!