The Worst Class Trip Ever

How does Wyatt’s character evolve over the course of the story, and how does Barry depict his emotional growth?

How does the story depict The Dynamics of Friendship? How do the shifting interactions among the main characters reflect typical eighth grade relationships?

How does Wyatt’s perception of Suzana affect his relationship with her, and how do his views evolve as the story progresses? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

How does the narrative structure of The Worst Class Trip Ever follow and/or subvert the structure of the Hero’s Journey? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

How does the fictitious country of Gadakistan either contribute to or challenge contemporary misrepresentations of Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries? How do Barry’s intentionally biased descriptions demonstrate his attempt to critique such mischaracterizations? Draw upon evidence from the text to support your interpretation.

How are narrative red herrings used to create humor in the novel? Analyze at least three examples from the text to support your answer.

How do gender roles contribute to specific characterizations in The Worst Class Trip Ever? Consider both the children and the adults and examine at least three to four examples from the text.

Why is Washington, DC, used as the novel’s setting? How does Barry use this setting to incorporate both educational and fantastical elements into the story?