Beartown

Beartown’s core plot is driven by the difference between secrets kept and secrets brought to light. How do secrets evolve over the course of the novel? Use these thinking points in constructing a response to the prompt.

• What kinds of secrets are present in Beartown?
• What secrets are shared and what are the consequences?
• How do relationships impact the sharing of secrets?
• How do the secrets in the novel relate to or support the novel’s theme of Secrets and Shame?

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to think of secrets beyond Maya’s assault. It is also worth taking note of the people who try to keep secrets, both for themselves and others. These secret-keeping tendencies build into the sense of shame that many of the characters feel. It may be helpful to ask students to reflect on some of their own secrets to help them empathize with the characters.

Differentiation Suggestion: For groups that need more scaffolding prior to a full-group discussion, you may want to set up stations around the room with different characters’ names on them (Benji, Maya, Kevin, Peter, etc.). Have students move around the room in small groups and write different secrets or shame each character possesses with textual evidence to support their claims.