by Jamie Ayres
What type of symbolism does Olga’s dream sequence suggest in chapter six?
Describe the incident when Olga attends her first party at Kyle’s house where Cantankerous Monkey Squad performs and its effect on Olga and Nate’s relationship.
Nate loves to play pranks. Name the perfect practical joke that you would love to pull off one day.
Compare and contract Olga to another character in the novel.
The theme of religion pervades the story. What do you think the author’s attitude is towards God?
Imagine you are Nate. Create mottos or bumper stickers that reflect your philosophy of life.
How do the quotes at the beginning of each chapter apply to the story at the time?
Assess what you would do if you were Olga. Would you open up your heart to love again? Provide reasons to support your decision.
How do you think a person can learn to accept, not resent, pain and even find a bit of good in the long-term from their unfortunate circumstance?
Describe Olga and Tammy’s relationship and the role that jealousy plays in their friendship. Are you ever jealous of your friends? What effect does that have on your behavior or your feelings for them?
At the beginning of the story, Olga is scared to say the words I love you. Why? How do Olga’s feelings about those words change during the course of the story?
Describe one of Olga’s memories of Conner. Do you have childhood memories with a friend that is similar to Olga’s? How do you think your memories would change if they were inextricably linked to feelings of guilt?
How would you describe the music of the Cantankerous Monkey Squad? Think of an event in your life and write a song about it.
Some of the items on Olga’s list of 18 Things cause her to rebel against her parents beliefs. Knowing the consequences, would you still try to rebel against your parents to accomplish things on your life list? What would be the pros and cons?
Several things on Olga’s list caused her emotional pain or to be out of control. How do you identify with those feelings? Do you think it’s necessary to lose control or feel pain in order to eventually find happiness?
What are some of the clues you can indicate after reading the book that hint at the paranormal twist at the end? How does seeing the truth of the story at the end change your understanding of it?
Name an internal and external conflict for our protagonists Olga and Nate. What are some internal and external conflicts in your own life?
What character traits of Olga and Nate’s personalities make them compelling protagonists in this story?
Do you believe in angels and spirit guides? Why or why not?
Even though the Limbo realm wasn’t real, how did Dr. Judy explain that Olga and Nate’s actions still affected real life for their loved ones? How can believing in something help it come true?
How is Tammy a stereotype in some parts of the story? How is she different from other cheerleaders portrayed in young adult novels?
The Jedi Order is the name that Conner gave their close circle of friends. Name the six friends that make up the Jedi Order and name a character trait that best describes their personality. Which one of these characters do you most identify with and why? Which one is your favorite? Compare and contrast the Jedi Order to your own group of friends.
What significance do the pieces of flashback have in the story?
What events in your life changed you? What future choices await you, and how do you think they will change you?
Which item on the list do you think transformed Olga the most? Make a life list of your own 18 things you want to do by the year of your 18th birthday.
Olga tells the story in her own first-person voice. How might the book differ if it had been told in Nate’s voice? Or in a dual narrative? Or in the voice of an omniscient narrator?
Has this novel changed the way you regard human suffering and death? Why or why not?
Consider the title of the novel.Are each of Olga’s 18 things of equal importance? Which one did you find to be the most unexpected? Most scary? Most humorous? Most Poignant?
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ISBN: 978-1-62007-150-2 (ebook)
ISBN: 978-1-62007-151-9 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-62007-152-6 (hardcover)
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Appetizer:
Book Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Main Course:
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Dessert:
Sample Chapter of 18 Truths (sequel to 18 Things)
Thank You For Reading
Acknowledgements
Literature Circle Questions
Copyright & Publisher
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