Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about the novel’s shifting perspectives? Discuss the experience of reading from the viewpoints of Walter, Tom, Ann, and others. How did this structure shape your overall impression of the story and its characters?

2. Walter is very critical of the HBO film about Temple Grandin, wanting to tell the story of his community himself. How does Upward Bound compare to other portrayals of autism you may have encountered in books or films, such as Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?

3. Think about the book’s ending. Did you find Walter’s transition to becoming a writer a hopeful conclusion after the tragic death of Carlos? What lasting feeling or message did you take away from the novel as a whole?

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

1. Carlos and Jorge build a deep bond that goes beyond words. Think about a relationship in your own life where communication didn’t rely solely on speaking. What are some of the ways people can show understanding and empathy without language?

2. The summer aide Ann initially finds the clients at Upward Bound intimidating, but her perspective shifts dramatically as she gets to know them. Can you recall a time when getting to know someone personally changed a preconceived notion you had? How did that experience influence the way you viewed Ann's transformation?

3. After leaving the center, Walter and his mother create a new routine centered on reading and writing, which gives him a new purpose. Have you ever used a creative outlet or a structured routine to navigate a difficult period or a major life change?

4. Tom works incredibly hard to develop a communication system by blinking, even though almost no one notices his efforts. Have you ever felt that your efforts or abilities went unnoticed by others? What did that experience teach you about the importance of being seen, understood, and valued? How did it influence the way you responded to Tom's story?

5. Comfort objects, like Jorge’s Mr. Potato Head and Carlos’s hidden thimble, play an essential role in the characters’ lives. Have you ever kept an object because it brought you comfort or reminded you of an important person, place, or time in your life? How did that experience shape the way you understood the significance of these objects in the novel?

6. Walter’s mother is a fierce advocate for him, especially during the incident at Camp Cammie. Have you ever advocated for someone—or had someone advocate for you—when a system failed to meet your needs? How did that experience influence the way you viewed Lisa’s actions?

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

1. The fatal shooting of Carlos is based on the real-life 2016 police shooting in North Miami. How did knowing this context affect your reading of the novel’s climax? What does the story argue about the intersection of disability, public perception, and law enforcement?

2. The rapid prompting method, which Walter uses to communicate, remains the subject of ongoing debate. How did learning about this debate influence reading of Walter’s narrative voice? Did it make you question the nature of authorship and authenticity as you read?

3. Upward Bound is described as a “dead-end way station” that stifles the potential of its clients through infantilizing activities and risk-averse policies (6). In what ways does the center serve as a critique of how society provides for adults with disabilities after they leave the school system?

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

1. The novel deliberately gives us access to the rich internal worlds of Walter and Tom, who can’t speak. What effect does this narrative choice have on the novel’s exploration of speech, intelligence, and perception? How does the author use their inner monologues to create a sharp contrast with how they’re perceived by characters like Dave?

2. Consider the characters of Dave and Carlos. How do they function as opposing models of care within the institution? What does each character reveal about the difference between bureaucratic management and genuine human connection?

3. The letter board is a central symbol in the novel. What does it represent for Walter’s agency and identity? How does the story illustrate its significance when Walter has access to it—and when he does not?

4. Discuss the recurring motif of the pool. How does this space transform from a simple therapy area into a place of freedom and joy, especially under Ann’s supervision? What might this suggest about the potential hidden within the stifling environment of Upward Bound?

5. Woody Brown gives a voice to characters who are often silenced, similar to how Jean-Dominique Bauby dictated his memoir The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by blinking his eye. How does Upward Bound contribute to a literary tradition of narratives told from the perspectives of people experiencing physical confinement?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you have been hired to completely overhaul the Upward Bound center. Based on what you learned from the characters’ experiences, what three major changes would you implement to create a more empowering and fulfilling environment for the clients?

2. The novel shifts between several points of view, but we never get inside Jorge’s or Emma’s minds. If you were to add a chapter from one of their perspectives, whose would you choose, and why? What do you think their inner world might reveal about the events of the story?

3. At the end of the book, Walter begins his journey as a writer. What kind of stories do you imagine he will go on to tell? Do you think he will focus on his own experiences, or will he continue to imagine and give voice to the stories of others like Tom and Jorge? Why?