by Adrienne Kisner
Grade 9-12

Description

In Adrienne Kisner’s Dear Rachel Maddow, a high school girl deals with school politics and life after her brother’s death by drafting emails to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow in this funny and heartfelt young adult debut.

Discussion questions from SOMN

• How is Lacy’s character different from other characters with disabilities you’ve read about in other books?
• One major theme presented throughout the book is representation. Where do you see this theme in the book? Provide two examples from the book.
• Why does Brynn want someone else to run for the committee seat?
• When thinking about student representation in your school, what groups/identities are not included in your school’s student government/leadership roles?
• Why does Lacy say she hates being seen as an inspiration? What did she mean by that?
• What does student leadership look like in your school? Why is student leadership important, and in what ways do you think your school could improve in this area?

Classroom activities from SOMN

• Examine a team of representatives at your own school—such as the school board, student government, or any other positions that advocate for students—and as a class have an open discussion about groups and/or identities that are not being represented.
• Have a discussion about representation. Examine local, state or national officials that have been selected to represent a group of people. Have a discussion about what identities are represented and what identities are not and how this affects the people they are supposed to be representing.