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Up On Cloud Nine by Anne Fine

Summary

Ian's best friend, Stolly, is up on cloud nine. He's is in the hospital, unconscious and hooked up to machines. The question Ian is trying to answer is: How did Stolly end up there? In a way, Stolly's always been on cloud nine, living life by his own rules and making those rules up as he goes along. His parents' careers have them constantly rushing around, so Ian's family has all but adopted Stolly. That's why it's up to Ian to figure out what happened to his best friend. But once the pieces start coming together, the answer doesn't seem to make any sense.

151 pages, 5th grade and up

Discussion questions

Spoiler alert! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

  1. What things that Stol does did you find really amusing? Which ones did you find upsetting?
  2. Did Esme's comments on fashions crack you up? What words would you use to describe Esme?
  3. Do you think Mr. Oliver was a good attorney? What things did he do or say that made it obvious he was a lawyer?
  4. When Ian described the sandwich - the organic avocado and cream cheese, with smoked salmon on olive ciabatta bread - that Jeanine gave Mr. Oliver, did it make you think the author likes good food or was she making fun of some people's tastes?
  5. What kind of a person is Ian's mom that she practically adopted Stol?
  6. When Ian's mom characterized Ian as phlegmatic, what do you think she meant?
  7. Do you think Stolly purposely left the diary in the house under the bed when he went with Ian's family on vacation?
  8. Does Stol seem like he likes/needs attention?
  9. What are some of the reasons Stol might be like he is?
  10. What kind of friend is Ian to Stol? Would you like a friend like Ian?
  11. Was the ending what you suspected all along or were you surprised? Do you think Stol will be Ok from now on?
  12. Ian did something at the end that made him a close match to Stol in this area. What was it? Do you think the author planned this for impact?
  13. Do you think the book's title makes sense?

Snacks: enchiladas and gingersnaps that Stol said he would only eat until death, or if you want to get fancy, the sandwich of organic avocado and cream cheese with smoked salmon on olive ciabatta bread, studded with sesame.

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