The School Story

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2001

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Chapters 16-18

Chapters 19-20

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

The title of The School Story refers to a genre of book that Hannah Nelson defines as “a short novel about kids and stuff that happens mostly at school” (6). Do you think The School Story fits this description? Why or why not?

Natalie and Zoe are “two very different people” (15). How do their differences influence their interactions and dynamic? Do their differences make them stronger, or do they create conflict?

Why does Ms. Clayton decide to help Natalie and Zoe? What does she stand to gain by helping them? What does she stand to lose?