Burger Wuss
on Goodreads (947)
What’s inside...
Anthony is a wimp - until the day he finds his girlfriend in someone else's arms. His plan for revenge involves one anarchist, one condiment trolley and one '85 Oldsmobile named Margot. Anderson is also the author of Thirsty. Hoping to lose his loser image, Anthony plans revenge on a bully, which results in a war between two competing fast food restaurants, Burger Queen and O'Dermott's. By the author of Thirsty.; M.T. Anderson, author of the award-winning THIRSTY, cooks up a story of love and betrayal, with a side of revenge--and serves it all with comedic relish. Anthony has never been able to stand up for himself--that is, not until his girlfriend, Diana, is in someone else's arms. Then Anthony vows revenge and devises The Plan. It begins with getting a job at the fast-food restaurant where Turner (a.k.a. the guy who stole his girlfriend) happens to be a star employee. But when The Plan is finally assembled in this hilarious novel that PUBLISHERS WEEKELY called 'both a tasty treat and a stinging satire,' will Anthony's hunger for revenge be satisfied? And more important, will he prove he's not a wuss?
Age
14-17
Length
220 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Anthony
Diana
Turner
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Anthony to take action against Turner? How would you handle a similar situation?
How do characters in the book show resilience in the face of challenges? Can you think of a time when you had to be resilient?
What role does friendship play in this story? How do friends influence the decisions that Anthony makes?
How do the characters in 'Burger Wuss' change by the end of the story? What do you think brought about these changes?
If you could give advice to any character in the book, who would it be and what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own thoughts on the book's themes and ask your child to share theirs. This opens up a two-way conversation that feels inclusive.
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of different characters. This helps them engage with the story on a deeper level and develop empathy.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection to the themes discussed.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights as they answer questions, which boosts their confidence and encourages further discussion.
Connect discussions to real-life scenarios or personal experiences, making the conversation more relatable and impactful for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Standing up for oneself
Explanation: The protagonist, Anthony, responds to being bullied and having his girlfriend stolen by confronting the antagonist. This shows the importance of confronting personal issues.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of addressing conflicts directly and not allowing themselves to be mistreated.
Example Lesson: Dealing with jealousy
Explanation: Anthony’s actions are initially fueled by jealousy, which leads to various misadventures. The narrative explores the consequences of letting jealousy dictate actions.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to recognize and manage feelings of jealousy constructively, rather than letting such emotions lead to negative actions.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Integrity
Explanation: As the story progresses, Anthony realizes the importance of taking responsibility for his actions and being honest with himself and others.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of owning up to their actions and the importance of integrity in building trust and respect.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Anthony learns to understand different perspectives, including that of his rivals, which helps to resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to consider others' viewpoints and feelings, fostering a more empathetic approach in their interactions.