Max Wilson
Brad,
To my Best Friend since 7th grade. I can’t even believe it’s been 6 years since we met. (We are sooo old!) I wouldn’t be the person I am today without your friendship. Thanks for never giving up on me. I know we’ll be friends forever.
Jack
Brad (opie),
I’m glad you finally got a clue.
Richie “The Junior” Tyler
Drama Queers Rule!
Bradley,
You are a truly talented young man. May you always follow your heart.
V. Horchik
“To thine ownself be true.”
* * *
A READING GROUP GUIDE
DRAMA QUEERS!
Frank Anthony Polito
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are included to enhance your group’s reading of Frank Anthony Polito’s Drama Queers!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In Drama Queers!, Brad meets a lot of interesting characters along his journey. Who did you find to be the most memorable? Who was the most helpful? Who gave him the best advice?
Despite being gay, Brad is pretty popular at school. Why do you think this is, compared to Jack, who tries desperately to hide his sexuality and doesn’t find this to be the case?
Was it surprising that Brad was able to put his past feelings about Richie Tyler (“the faggy little 7th grader who played flute in Prep Band and carried his books like a girl”) behind and move forward in pursuing a relationship?
Why do you think Brad is so reluctant to open up to Audrey about being gay? How about to his co-workers? Isn’t this hypocritical of him in light of what Brad’s been telling Jack about being honest about who he really is?
Brad’s mother seems to have known about his sexuality since he was a child, and yet, she’s been completely supportive of him. If you were the parent of a gay son or daughter, how would you handle the situation?
Brad’s trip to New York City takes place during the height of the AIDS crisis. Being a boy from a small Midwestern town, were you concerned for his well-being at any point while he was traipsing about the Big City?
Were there times when you found Brad’s character to be unlikable based on his actions in the story? Do you think he is justified in lying to Richie about not being gay in order to protect the future of his career as an actor?
What outcome were you expecting after Brad’s Juilliard audition? Were you pleased or disappointed? Do you find the way things worked out to be a better life-lesson?
How did you feel about Brad and Jack’s friendship at the conclusion of the story? Was there anything you wished they would have done or said to each other? Based on their past history, do you think the boys will be Best Friends Forever?
What do you think will happen next for Brad? Where do you imagine he will end up and with whom?
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2009 by Frank Anthony Polito
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-5555-6
Drama Queers! Page 36