Roller Girl

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the graphic novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Heroes are a central motif in Roller Girl.

• What does Astrid see as heroic about roller derby and why does this inspire her to join? (topic sentence)
• Detail three places in the story where Astrid states or implies she finds something heroic about the game, a player, or herself while she’s playing.
• In your conclusion, evaluate the importance of heroes in the lives of young people like Astrid.

2. All the male characters in Roller Girl are little more than background characters.

• Why did Jamieson include so few male characters in the graphic novel? (topic sentence)
• Identify the male characters in the book and discuss why these characters are included in an otherwise all-female story. Use the text to support your discussion.
• Wrap up your response by discussing whether Jamieson’s focus on female characters was effective in conveying her message and whether the male characters that are shown help or hinder this message.

3. The roller derby bout is a very different experience from the other cultural enlightenment activities—such as the opera, poetry readings, and museums—Astrid’s mother takes Astrid and Nicole to.

• What aspects of roller derby does Astrid’s mother feel qualify as cultural enlightenment? (topic sentence)
• Detail the major points of roller derby that make it culturally enlightening, and use examples from the book to support your argument.
• In your conclusion, discuss whether Astrid’s mother was successful in her cultural enlightenment goals with both Astrid and Nicole.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Astrid bases her friendship with Nicole on Nicole’s kindness to her in first grade and how they have been friends ever since, but Astrid’s friendship with Zoey is based on a common interest. Is the foundation of Astrid’s friendship stronger with Nicole or Zoey? Which friend is more likely to remain close with Astrid as they grow older, and why? Use examples from the text to support your argument.

2. Astrid channels her anger with Nicole and Rachel into improving at roller derby. How successful would Astrid be if her relationships were harmonious during roller derby camp, and why? What characteristics, events, or circumstances illustrated in the graphic novel support your answer?

3. Does the graphic format enhance or hinder the story Jamieson tells in Roller Girl? Would the story have a different impact if it were written in a traditional format? What aspects of the graphic novel are particularly important or detrimental to the storytelling process? Use specific examples from the text to support your statements.