The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies
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5. Though “The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies” is unlike most of the other tales in the book because it does not contain a supernatural element, in what ways does it still serve to unify this group of stories?
6. Which stories explore such contemporary notions as veganism and care for animals? What perspectives on these ideas are taken in the stories? Do you agree with these viewpoints? Why or why not?
7. In “King of the Hill” and “Bird Brained,” what happens to the characters who begin the stories as bullies? Who are the narrators and how do they react to the events of the stories? What would you have done if you found yourself in the narrators’ shoes?
8. In “Just Like Me,” “Let’s Have a Big Hand for Gerald,” and “Braces,” parents seem unaware of the mysterious disturbances affecting themselves and their children. Do you ever feel like your parents are just missing the point of a given situation? Compare this feeling to the stories.
9. What kinds of strange powers are found in libraries and books in Red Hot Pepper Weenies? Why do you go to the library? Do you enjoy the experience? About what special library object or power might you choose to write a spooky story?
10. “Yesterday Tomorrow” and “Time Out” are two of the stories exploring the consequences of time reversal. Have you ever wished you could turn back the clock? When and why? Has reading these stories changed your mind?
11. “Moods” is one of many stories in which an important young character is dead or dies. What other stories include this feature, and what literary games does the author play with this type of character throughout the collection? Do these stories make you wonder about the possibilities of ghost worlds or other afterlife notions? Explain your answer.
12. “Reel” and “Overdue onto Others” involve objects taking control of characters’ lives and experiences. Have you ever believed an object had a special power, such as good luck? Describe this object and your behavior toward it.
13. Is it ever okay to lie? Do liars always get punished? What stories deal with deceit? Do all the characters lie for basically the same reason? What happens to them? What would you do in similar situations?
14. In addition to “Sting, Where Is Thy Death?” what other tales explore the balance between human development and the natural world? Do you worry about this balance in your community? In what ways?
15. Do scary stories help you work through feelings of anger or frustration? Do they make you feel better or worse about the world in which you live? Why is (or isn’t) it fun, useful, or even important to have scary stories in your library? What idea, situation, or question do you think more scary stories should be written about today? Explain your answers.