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Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Summary

So what if he's legally blind? Even with his bottle-thick, bug-eyed glasses, Paul Fisher can see better than most people. He can see the lies his parents and brother live out, day after day. No one ever listens to Paul, though--until the family moves to Tangerine. In Tangerine, even a blind, geeky, alien freak can become cool. Who knows? Paul might even become a hero! 294 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. Some might say that Tangerine is about appearances – that if things look good from the outside, then everything will be okay. What do you think about that idea? Where do you see it in the book?
  2. Why does Erik behave as he does?
  3. Would you like to live in Paul's community? Why or why not? What is strange about it?
  4. Who would you rather have for a brother: Erik? Mike? Luis? Why?
  5. What are your impressions of Paul's mother? How did she change by the end of the book?
  6. Paul's mother calls Paul legally blind. Think about the idea of seeing things -- seeing past stereotypes and into people's hearts. How was Paul able to do this? What did he see?
  7. How is Joey's experience at Tangerine Middle School different from Paul's? Why do you think that is?
  8. Were you surprised when Luis died?
  9. Would you have kept the paint incident from Paul if you were his parents? How do you think he felt?
  10. Did Erik get the punishment he deserved? Why or why not?
  11. Do you feel hopeful for Paul at the end of the book?
  12. Is Paul a hero? Why or why not?
  13. Tangerine is Edward Bloor's first novel. Would you read another by him? Why or why not?
  14. Compare the covers of the paperback and the hardcover. Which one do you like better? Which cover is more appealing? Why do you think they made the changes they did.

Snack ideas: Tangerines, of course! Portions of this discussion guide are credited to "Aladdin Guide for Reading Groups" Aladdin Paperbacks * Margaret K. McElderry Books

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