55 pages 1 hour read

Laurie Halse Anderson

The Impossible Knife of Memory

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2014

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Essay Topics

1.

How does Hayley change or grow throughout the novel? How do her environment and the people around her contribute to—or hamper—that growth?

2.

Why did Anderson include six chapters from Andy’s perspective? How does Andy’s narration differ from Hayley’s narration? How do these chapters enhance your understanding of Andy’s character?

3.

Research post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Explain the ways that Andy demonstrates PTSD symptoms. Back up your explanations with facts from your research.