Tell - Nora McClintock

 

Book Circle Plan for Tell by Norah McClintock

🟦 Session 1: First Impressions (Chapters 1–5)

🧠 BEFORE READING 

1. The title is Tell.

   • What does the word tell mean?

   • What do you think the book will be about?

2. Look at the chapter numbers (1–5).

• Do you think the story will start slowly or quickly? Why?

3. Read the first page only.

• Who is the main character?

• What feeling do you get from the beginning?

---

📖 DURING READING 

Reading Log 

4. What do we learn about David and his stepfather Phil?

5. How does David react when Phil dies?

6. Do we get any clues about the murder? Give one example.

7. What kind of person does David seem to be? Choose two adjectives and explain.

---

🧩 WORD WORK 

Match the words with the correct meaning:

Word	Meaning
suspect	a person the police think may be guilty
argument	a fight with words
shock	a strong feeling after something bad
react	how you act or feel

Write one sentence with one of the words.

---

Session 2: The Investigation (Chapters 6-10)

📖 Discussion Questions (Group):

1. Who are the suspects in Phil’s murder? What makes them suspicious?
2. How does David’s behavior affect how others see him? Does he make himself look guilty?
3. How does David feel about being accused of the crime? Do you think the police are treating him fairly?
4. What role does Kendra play in the story so far?
5. If you were a detective, what would you do next in the case?

---

Session 3: Secrets and Revelations (Chapters 11-15)

📖 Discussion Questions (Group):

1. What new information do we learn in these chapters? Does it change your opinion about who the murderer is?
2. Do you think David makes smart choices in how he tries to clear his name? Why or why not?
3. How does the book create suspense? Give examples.
4. How do other people—his mother, Kendra, the police—view David?
5. Would you trust David if you were one of his friends? Why or why not?

📝 Individual Questions:

---

Session 4: The Truth Comes Out (Chapters 16-End)

📖 Discussion Questions (Group):

1. Were you surprised by who the murderer was? Why or why not?
2. How does David finally prove his innocence?
3. What do you think the author wants readers to learn from this book?
4. Did you enjoy the ending? Why or why not?
5. If you could change one thing about the story, what would it be?
6. Imagine you are David. Write a diary entry about how you feel at the end of the book.
7. Do you think justice was served in the end? Explain your opinion.

1. Final assignment - writing COMING SOON

---

Example Essay – Is it ever okay to lie?

Is It Ever Okay to Lie?

Many people say that lying is always wrong, but is that really true? In some situations, telling the truth can be painful or even dangerous. Sometimes, lying can protect people or make a situation easier. However, lying can also cause problems and break trust. In Tell by Norah McClintock, we see how lies can change a person’s life completely.

One situation where lying might be okay is when it protects someone’s feelings. For example, if your friend has worked hard on a painting but it doesn’t look great, would you tell them the truth or say it looks nice? Sometimes, a small lie can make someone feel better and avoid hurting their feelings.

However, lies can also cause serious problems. In Tell, David is accused of something he didn’t do. People suspect him because they believe lies or make false assumptions. This shows that lies can be dangerous, especially when they involve crime or important situations. Once a lie is told, it can spread and become difficult to fix.

In the end, whether lying is right or wrong depends on the situation. A small lie to protect someone’s feelings might be okay, but lying about something serious can cause harm. The most important thing is to think about how the lie will affect others.

Would I lie if I were in a difficult situation? Maybe. But I would always try to tell the truth if possible, because trust is hard to rebuild once it is broken.