70 pages • 2 hours read
Teresa TotenThe Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
Who do you think is the unlikely hero of room 13B? Could there be more than one hero? What traits or actions make them heroic, and why?
While bravery, loyalty, and courage are all qualities associated with superheroes, it is also possible to be a hero in more subtle ways. What are some examples of courage and bravery demonstrated by Adam and the other characters in the novel? What makes these examples notable? How do they demonstrate heroism on a smaller scale?
How does Adam’s perception of his reality change and evolve throughout the novel?
Analyze Toten’s portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental health issues in this novel. Are these depictions realistic? Why or why not?
Examine Adam and Robyn’s relationship. Is it healthy? Why does Adam decide to distance himself from her? Does his decision demonstrate maturity or naivety? How does it connect to the novel’s main themes?
Were you left feeling hopeful for Adam and the other characters at the end of the novel? Do you think the author could have included anything else, or do you think Adam’s journey has been fully resolved?
Pick two characters and examine how their relationship changes throughout the novel. Where does their relationship stand at the novel’s beginning? How does the relationship evolve, and why? How does it affect the people around them?
Consider the use of perspective in this story. How does Adam’s narration shape the story and its themes? How would this book be different if told from a point of view other than third-person limited? Do you think anything would be gained or lost by providing the perspectives of other characters?
Why are Adam and the other group members excited by the project of picking alter egos? Why does Chuck suggest it as an exercise? How do the characters come to embody their superhero personas? How does this affect their perceptions of themselves and others?
How do the different members of Adam’s family both help and hinder his ability to control his OCD? How does his family cause him stress, and how do they help alleviate his stress?
