Running Loose

How do grief and loss shape Louie’s coming-of-age journey in Running Loose?

Discuss the significance of the title, Running Loose. How does it reflect the central conflicts and themes of the novel?

Reflect on the novel’s treatment of mental health and emotional well-being. What assumptions about mental health does the novel use to shape its portrayal of grief and loss?

How do characters confront issues of racism and prejudice in the novel? How does the presence of racism tie into the identity of small-town America?

Consider the role of authority figures in Running Loose, such as Coach Lednecky and Mr. Jasper. How do these characters wield power and influence?

How does the novel’s structure enhance understanding of the story and its themes? For example, how would the story be different without the foreshadowing of Becky’s death and the incident with Washington?

Analyze the role of sports in the novel. How does participation in sports shape the characters’ lives and relationships? How does this contribute to communal identity, more broadly?

Discuss the role of friendship in the novel. How do characters give and receive support from their friends? What is the role of friendship in coming of age?