Chapter 15: Peck's 10 Questions


Chapter 15: Peck’s 10 Questions

Richard Peck was a well-known American novelist, particularly in YA literature. He was a Newberry award winner and won the Margaret A. Edwards Award from ALA in 1990 for his contribution to YA literature. He both wrote YA books and wrote about YA books as he was an adjunct professor of Library and Information Science at Louisiana State University. In 1978, Richard Peck came up with the following 10 questions also known as “Peck’s Ten Questions” to analyze literature:

1.        What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex? (helps diffuse sexual polarizations and stereotyping)
2.       Why is the story set where it is? (points out setting as an author's device)
3.       If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY? (consideration of tone)
4.       If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY? (characters which add texture vs. simplification for media translation)
5.       How is the main character different from you? (reader can identify without being like the main character)
6.       Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not? (ending focus and sequential nature of chapters)
7.       What one thing in the story has happened to you? (anecdotal response of recognition)
8.       Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If nothing, why did you continue to read? (hooks reader and awareness of author's intent in writing)

9.       If you had to design a new cover for the book, what would it look like? (deceptive packaging and consumerism)
10.   What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth? (titles as narrative hooks vs. symbolic titles)
Reflection:

When reading over Peck’s Ten Questions, it reminds me of the importance of using guidelines like these when analyzing books- especially ones we like/love. These questions could be used in both the classroom setting or in a library setting. I could easily see these questions being incorporated in an assignment or project about your favorite book. I also see some of these questions as valuable information in a reader advisory interview when trying to get to the root of why a student likes a particular book to help them choose their next book. One way to see the value in these questions is to apply it to you own favorite book. I will answer the questions on one of my favorite books, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.
1.       What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex?
§   This book would be completely different if the main character were male. I feel like one of the main reasons I love this book is because Frankie (a defiant girl) is willing to break the social norms in her private boarding school. She struggles with her sexuality going from being one of the boys- very tomboy, to getting a lot of attention from the opposite sex. The dichotomy between males and females is very important to the plot and themes of this novel.
2.       Why is the story set where it is?
§  This story is set in a private boarding school because it allows the author to amplify some of the societal norms that we see in our world today. The setting creates a very specific environment that allows for the idea of “boys will be boys” to be amplified, they have minor consequences while the same actions taken by girls have larger consequences.
3.       If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY?
§  If I were to create a film of this story (I wish someone would), I would make it in color. I think color would be a very important part of the story especially when it involves the pranks that are being pulled and colors in relation to the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds.
4.       If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY?
§  If I could not used all of the characters, I would eliminate either her sister Zada or Trish. These two characters provide sort of stereotypes the feminist (Zada) and the submissive (Trish). The characters are more than just their stereotypes as they provide sounding boards and a female connection for Frankie, but I feel like their parts could be minimized only because Frankie’s conflicts with the boys are more important in ways to her development. (But I would keep them if I could)
5.       How is the main character different from you?
§  I would say that in high school, the time and setting this book is set, I did not have the courage or determination Frankie has in the book. I was more of a Trish, with some feminist ideals, but not willing to act on them. Now I would say that we do not have many differences, but again I probably struggle more than I should with standing up to authority.
6.       Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not?
§  This book would make for a great TV series. I think that the sequences and plot development in this book would make for great tv- some episodes would be able to focus on Frankie’s development and relationships, while other episodes would be able to focus more on the events surrounding her academic probation.
7.       What one thing in the story has happened to you?
§  I feel like the plot in this story is very much specific unto itself, but I think one thing that I can relate to that has happened is the feeling of being underestimated. Frankie is underestimated by the people that she is closest to, and then gets shunned in a way when they find out that she is capable. In high school, I felt this way a lot. Being put in a box and told to stay there in the nice packaging that others have put on to you is something that I feel every girl has experienced.
8.       Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If nothing, why did you continue to read?
§  The sense of mystery to be solved while being so realistic is what drew me in. (This is based on memory as I do not have a copy handy).
9.       If you had to design a new cover for the book, what would it look like?
§  My preference would be to keep the original design with the envelope with the Order of the Basset Hounds seal on it as the book jacket, but I would add a design to the hardback cover alluding to or a mock up of the title in the style of P. G. Wodehouse’s The Code of the Woosters.
10.   What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth?
§  The title of the book tells/sells the reader on the fact that there is a bit of mystery and something to be revealed to the reader about Frankie Landau-Banks and how she is to be perceived.


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