Popcorn

Select two characters who are part of Andrew’s support system and compare and contrast their personality traits and character arcs. Discuss how each contributes to the novel’s structure and the theme of The Importance of Friendship and Support Networks.

Andrew uses the symbol of popcorn to explain what it’s like to live with anxiety and panic disorder. How does this symbol contribute to the story’s structure and mood?

In what ways is Andrew’s identity shaped by the theme of The Journey Toward Self-Acceptance and Resilience Amidst Adversity? What factors contribute to the adversity he faces, and how does the protagonist cope with these challenges? How does Harrell demonstrate that Andrew has grown more resilient and self-accepting by the end of the novel?

Throughout the story, Harrell includes real therapeutic techniques, such as box breathing and visualization exercises. How do these techniques contribute to the novel’s mood, the characters’ relationships, and the author’s goals?

Popcorn has received praise for its realistic portrayal of health conditions. How does G’s Alzheimer’s impact the novel’s structure and overall meaning?

The Anxiety Files serve as a motif of The Role of Humor and Art in Coping with Mental Health Challenges. How do Andrew’s comics advance this theme and the protagonist’s character development? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your analysis.

How do Rob Harrell’s own lived experiences with anxiety and OCD compare to Andrew’s? How does this authorial context add a metatextual element to the theme of The Role of Humor and Art in Coping with Mental Health Challenges?

How does this story compare to other popular middle-grade graphic novels and illustrated novels, such as Jeff Kinney’s New York Times-bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) or Raina Teglemeier’s Eisner Award-winning Smile (2010)? How do these different authors utilize art and humor to explore the challenges of adolescence?