DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Here are some discussion questions to accompany SEASON OF UPSETS: Farm boys, city kids, Hoosier basketball, and the dawn of the 1950s.
1. The book opens with an epigraph from Etta Mae (Malstaff) Hannon and it reads, “Basketball was all we had.” Why do you think the author chose this to open the book? What tone did it set? Why didn’t the author select a quote from a well-known source, as most epigraphs do?
2. What was your favorite part of the book? Why did you like it?
3. Who was your favorite character and why?
4. What was the biggest surprise in the book for you?
5. Why do you think the author chose to reveal how Everett Dunfee got his nickname, “Goog?”
6. What did you think of the author’s decision to include himself in the book when he mentioned first meeting Coach Hobart Martin and Goog Dunfee?
7. Has your quest for family history ever led you down an interesting path of history on a different subject? What did you learn?
8. Which of the coaches’ background stories did you like the most? Why?
9. The author wove facts and data into different stories in the book. What was your favorite, or the most unusual, factual piece of information delivered in the book?
10. Many players and cheerleaders interviewed for the book have fond memories from that season. Some players who lost a big game wish they could try again, even though they know it’s not possible. What do you think of those reactions? Do you ever wish you could go back and try something again? What does that say about us?
11. What is the significance of the quote, “What’s the matter with these farmers? They won’t go home after they are licked.” What did you think of the author’s decision to end the chapter with that quote, rather than cover the Hammond-Gary Froebel Regional championship game?
12. Do you think the author’s decision to use oral history (information gleaned from interviews) extensively throughout the book was a good tactic? Why do you think so?
13. What part of the book surprised you the most?
14. The author was trying to capture the essence of Hoosier hysteria. Do you think he succeeded? Why or why not?
15. This book is one of only a couple written about Indiana high school basketball that does not mention any All-stars, Hall of Fame coaches, or final four participating teams. Does that matter? Does this strengthen or weaken the story?
1. The book opens with an epigraph from Etta Mae (Malstaff) Hannon and it reads, “Basketball was all we had.” Why do you think the author chose this to open the book? What tone did it set? Why didn’t the author select a quote from a well-known source, as most epigraphs do?
2. What was your favorite part of the book? Why did you like it?
3. Who was your favorite character and why?
4. What was the biggest surprise in the book for you?
5. Why do you think the author chose to reveal how Everett Dunfee got his nickname, “Goog?”
6. What did you think of the author’s decision to include himself in the book when he mentioned first meeting Coach Hobart Martin and Goog Dunfee?
7. Has your quest for family history ever led you down an interesting path of history on a different subject? What did you learn?
8. Which of the coaches’ background stories did you like the most? Why?
9. The author wove facts and data into different stories in the book. What was your favorite, or the most unusual, factual piece of information delivered in the book?
10. Many players and cheerleaders interviewed for the book have fond memories from that season. Some players who lost a big game wish they could try again, even though they know it’s not possible. What do you think of those reactions? Do you ever wish you could go back and try something again? What does that say about us?
11. What is the significance of the quote, “What’s the matter with these farmers? They won’t go home after they are licked.” What did you think of the author’s decision to end the chapter with that quote, rather than cover the Hammond-Gary Froebel Regional championship game?
12. Do you think the author’s decision to use oral history (information gleaned from interviews) extensively throughout the book was a good tactic? Why do you think so?
13. What part of the book surprised you the most?
14. The author was trying to capture the essence of Hoosier hysteria. Do you think he succeeded? Why or why not?
15. This book is one of only a couple written about Indiana high school basketball that does not mention any All-stars, Hall of Fame coaches, or final four participating teams. Does that matter? Does this strengthen or weaken the story?
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