Defying Gravity Discussion Questions
These discussion questions accompany Defying Gravity, one of six interconnected novellas in Earth’s Secret Alliance. They are intended for classrooms, homeschool groups, libraries, book clubs, and individual readers.
Themes: Women in STEM, academic prejudice, humility, perseverance, and relationships.
Most questions do not have a single correct answer. Use them to compare perspectives, support interpretations with evidence, and discuss the characters’ choices. These questions may be refined as the Study Edition develops.
Discussion Questions
- Mary is told her ideas don’t count because of who she is. How does she prove herself without becoming like the people who dismissed her?
- Does being mistreated make someone more compassionate, or can it make them more likely to mistreat others?
- Why would she want to meet aliens?
- Why is she comfortable with it?
- Should we be afraid of first contact or not?
- How does Mary respond when Harper first underestimates her? Does her response help her earn respect?
- Watching Harper learn humility, Charlie notes his talent became far more powerful once he shared it. Why is humility a prerequisite for progress and teamwork?
- In the novel, why does Newman warn Dow not to confuse loneliness or physical attraction with love? Do you think his advice is fair?
- What does Newman’s advice reveal about his own experience with love and relationships?