The Minus-One Club
on Goodreads (445)
What’s inside...
From the Coretta Scott King and Printz Honor-winning author of How It Went Down, Light It Up, and Revolution In Our Time comes a moving contemporary YA novel about the bonds between a group of teens whose lives have been upended by tragedy. Fifteen-year-old Kermit Sanders knows grief and its all-encompassing shadows. After losing his beloved older sister in a tragic car accident, nothing quite punctures through the feelings of loss. Everywhere Kermit goes, he is reminded of her. But then Kermit finds a mysterious invitation in his locker, signed anonymously with '-1.' He has no idea what he's in for, but he shows up to find out. Dubbed the 'Minus-One Club,' a group of his schoolmates has banded together as a form of moral support. The members have just one thing in common—they have all suffered the tragic loss of someone they loved. The usual dividing lines between high school classes and cliques don’t apply inside the Minus-One Club, and Kermit’s secret crush, the handsome and happy-go-lucky Matt (and only out gay student at school), is also a part of the group. Slowly, Matt's positive headstrong approach to life helps relieve Kermit of his constant despair. But as Kermit grows closer to Matt, the light of his new life begins to show the cracks beneath the surface. When Matt puts himself in danger by avoiding his feelings, Kermit must find the strength to not only lift himself back up but to help the rest of the group from falling apart.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-18
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters in 'The Minus-One Club' deal with feelings of loss or sadness?
What did the characters learn about friendship throughout the story?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the characters? How did you handle it?
What would you do if you were in the same situation as the main character?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own feelings about the story, relating it to their personal experiences.
Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding, drawing parallels to the characters' journeys in the book.
Use specific examples from the book to foster a deeper understanding of the themes of loss and friendship.
Create a safe and open environment where your child feels comfortable discussing sensitive topics.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The characters in 'The Minus-One Club' navigate their feelings of loss and grief, allowing young readers to see how different characters express and manage these complex emotions.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children recognize and respect the feelings of others in real life, fostering a nurturing environment where empathy is valued.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The story portrays how the characters overcome challenges related to their personal losses, imparting the crucial skill of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by learning to bounce back from their own setbacks, such as moving to a new school or dealing with the loss of a pet.
Example Lesson: The power of community and support
Explanation: The book shows how coming together in clubs or groups provides strength and comfort to individuals, demonstrating the importance of community.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to seek out and contribute to supportive social circles in school or in extracurricular activities, helping them to cope with their own challenges.