Punk 57

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Does Punk 57 fit into and exemplify the dark romance genre? Why or why not?

2. Did the romance between Ryen and “Masen” feel natural? What did and didn’t you like about this coupling?

3. Which scenes had the heaviest emotional impact on you? Why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Do you relate more to Ryen or Misha? Why? How do their struggles and their character growth resonate with you?

2. Could this story have been told the same way if it had taken place during the era in which you attended high school? What might have been different?

3. Have you experienced or witnessed bullying? How does the theme of The Consequences of Bullying relate to your personal experiences with bullies?

4. Do you have your own Delilah? Have you ever left a good friend behind because you thought you would be better off? What factors influenced your decision?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does the novel’s high school culture reflect the decade in which it was written—the 2010s? What aspects of high school culture are timeless, and which aspects are specific to that time period?

2. What real-world significance does the theme of The Importance of Maintaining Close Relationships hold, especially in contemporary society, which is social media-driven and shaped by both physical and digital connectivity? What commentary does the novel provide on the challenges of relationship-building and maintaining true connection in a hyper-connected world?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What purpose does Ryen’s characterization as an unlikeable “mean girl” serve in the narrative? How does it complicate the central romantic dynamic between the protagonists and contribute to the development of key themes?  

2. How do the high school setting and the ages of the main characters shape the novel? Could these characters have developed their relationship in a different setting? At different ages?

3. Discuss Douglas’s use of dramatic irony. How does it affect the pacing or tension in the narrative? 

4. What is the overall impact of having the story told from both Misha and Ryen’s perspectives? How would the story change if it were only told from one of their perspectives?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Punk 57 contains many song references and original lyrics. Without using any of the songs from the book, which songs would you include in a playlist to capture the book’s overall plot and mood? What bands do you think Cipher Core would sound like?

2. Imagine Misha or Ryen is your pen pal. Write a letter to your character of choice. Consider what you would talk about if this character were your long-term friend. What aspects of your life would you let them into? What aspects would you keep a secret? Take turns presenting your letters and discussing how the character you wrote to might respond.

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