Book Club - MAY - Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. Termed "living impaired" or "differently biotic," they are doing their best to fit into a society that doesn't want them. Fitting in is hard enough when you don't have the look or attitude, but when almost everyone else is alive and you're not, it's close to impossible. With her pale skin and goth wardrobe, Phoebe has never run with the popular crowd. But on one can believe it when she falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids. Not her best friend, Margi, whose fear of the differently biotic is deeply rooted in guilt over the past. And especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Recently, Adam has realized that his feelings for Phoebe run much deeper than just friendship. He would do anything for her; but what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy? (http://www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com/)

Ø Were there things you wanted to know that the author didn’t tell you?

Ø What makes a zombie different from a living person?

Ø Do zombies have souls? In the same way as living beings?

Ø What kind of groups of people might these zombies represent? (Minorities in a white school, the special ed students who get teased at lunch time, teens involved in mixed relationships, or just the strange kid in the seat next to you, the one who wears all black and hates going to football games.)

Ø Why do zombies have different rights than others, or no rights at all? What do you think about this? What kind of rights do you think they should have, if any?

Ø What do you think are the medical reasons that some teens are coming back to “life.”

Ø What kinds of things do you think might be going on behind the doors of the laboratories at the Hunter Foundation for the Advancement of Differently Biotic Persons?

Ø What are some ways to get involved in society reform or political activism? How can one reach out to a group that doesn’t seem to be listening? Is there any point in “preaching to the choir”?

Ø Tommy’s blog is still active (www.mysocalledundeath.com). What do you think about using modern technology and resources to extend a story beyond its “natural” life within a book’s pages.

Ø What do you think would happen in a sequel? Would you read it?


For food, I'm thinking gummy worms... maybe some fruit from Karen's lunch... or some after school snacks in honor of Phoebe & Margi (maybe something coffee-flavored?)...