PUSD SEED discussion

Why do you think the story starts with Jerome's death?

How did reading this book affect your understanding of the history of violence against Black, particularly male, bodies?

The officer uses the defense that he feared for his life. We hear this often as the rationale for police shooting civilians. Assuming the officer truly felt fear for his life, why might an armed adult fear a pre-teen?

Have you felt fear of another person that you knew was irrational? How did you handle it? Did you act on that fear?

How did you feel when the officer was found not guilty? Were you surprised the author decided on that verdict?

Think about the work that you do with youth. In what ways have you seen bias affect the outcome for youth?

Why would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not? Who would you recommend it to?

Why do you think the author decided to have Emmett Till be the Ghost Boy that introduces Jerome to the others? Why can Sarah see Emmett and Jerome?

Do you think Sarah's decision to talk to her father about racial bias will change how he feels and thinks about his role in Jerome's death?