Listen to Your Sister

The book opens with Calla as “the responsible one,” managing not only the logistics of Jamie’s care, but also carrying the emotional burden of raising him. What about Calla’s personality makes her specifically suited to this role, and in what ways does she show she does not want these responsibilities? Do you think if Dre was the oldest child, he would have taken on Jamie’s guardianship in a similar way? Do you think Calla was always going to be the one taking the lead in this situation? Why or why not?

Calla, Dre, and Jamie all have very different approaches to life—the meticulously kept room versus the Sunday deepcleaner, the “do your homework and keep your head down” approach versus vocal and active protest. How does this illustrate how different people can be, even all within the same family? What core similarities do the Williams siblings share? Is there anyone in your family who you are very different from, but still have a strong bond with?

It’s clear that some things are “not right”—Jamie’s experience at the party prior to the protest, Prom Calla showing up at Dre’s house—before we are aware of the Nightmare world and the Callas. Why do you think the author did this?

Put yourself in Jamie’s shoes. How would you behave if you were in his situation? Would you be “easy” so as not to make any waves? Would you be anxious? Relieved? Try to push people away before they pushed you? How do you think Jamie maintains his wry and effervescent sense of humor, mischief, and enthusiasm throughout the book? Despite being labeled as “difficult” in the beginning, what kind of positive effect does he have on his siblings?

Discuss Calla’s recurring nightmare. What parallels can you draw between her deepest fears and the threat of white supremacist and police violence that persists against communities of color in real life? How does this shape her overall sense of purpose in the book? How does it affect her behavior once the Callas are unleashed? And why does it make her so angry when Jamie and Dre disregard her concerns?

The Nightmare world is a surreal, complicated place of navigating past memories with high stakes for the future. What is the symbolism of Dre and Jamie being children in this world? How does this relate to Calla as a parent figure? How does this relate to what we learn about their parents in the maze?

Dre had a special relationship with his father that Calla and Jamie did not. How do you think their father’s death affected him specifically? Do you think Dre has been more emotionally isolated from his siblings as a result?

Is there one Calla that you felt especially connected to or wanted to know more about? Why or why not? What do these many versions of her symbolize?

What surprised you about this book? Did you have any idea where it was headed? How did you think it would end?

Through it all, the one thing that persists in this book is the love Calla, Dre, and Jamie have for one another. What did you think of seeing this theme being depicted between siblings, rather than how we often see it, in a romantic relationship? Do you think love is powerful enough to withstand life’s obstacles?