1. What act of kindness does Trevor do for Mrs. Greenberg and how does she pay it forward? Why is her son, Richard, disappointed in her behavior? Explain whether or not you agree with the son?
2. Why does Arlene take Trevor to visit Jerry in prison? What happens to prevent them from seeing Jerry? How are Arlene’s and Trevor’s reactions different when they learn they will not see Jerry? Why do you think Jerry refuses to see them?
3. What do you think about Reuben’s statement that he is “grading on effort, not results”? Is it possible for a teacher, or any evaluator, to know how much effort was actually put in? What would happen if the world were run by effort with no concern with results?
4. Speaking of the world what do you think about Reuben’s comment that “we all want to change the world, and sometimes we need to learn that it’s harder than we think.” Is it possible for one person to change the world? Does an idea, or event, have to be focused on changing the entire world to be effective? What is a way that you plan to change the world?
What question(s) do you have for the group?