Squirrel Pie

Detroit is a thriving blue-collar town in the 1970s, an era when alcoholism and dysfunction thrive behind closed doors. When fifteen-year-old Debbie accepts a new babysitting job she has no idea that it will forever alter her life. Mac, father of the young children she cares for, slowly begins to groom Debbie with words of praise and flattery.

Longing for emotional connection she agrees to run away with Mac, only to find herself trapped in desperate poverty with a violent alcoholic. She raises three children on roadkill meals and makes herself small and compliant, waiting for someone to save her.

When Mac’s violence threatens more than just Debbie's life, she discovers the strength to say, “No more.” Little does she know, however, that leaving her abuser will involve a kidnapping, a murder, and an interstate FBI manhunt.

Squirrel Pie is a true story of the painful realities around abuse, addiction, mental illness, and generational trauma. It is also a success story; a story in which perseverance, resilience, compassion, and unexpected allies lead Debbie to a life of healthy connections and choosing joy.

These discussion questions were provided by the publisher, DartFrog Books.

Book club questions for Squirrel Pie by Deborah Brannigan

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Was the issue of domestic violence in this book connected to other social problems faced by the characters (e.g., child abuse, racism, alcoholism)? If so, how?

In what ways did other characters in the book help Debbie stay safe? If they didn’t reach out to help her, why didn’t they, and how could they have?

Often, women involved in domestic violence situations can be reluctant to ask for help, even if they have opportunities to do so. What might prevent them from doing this?

How did this book make you feel? Did it remind you of a situation you have experienced yourself? If so, how has that experience affected you?

What scenes from the book have stuck with you the most? Did you reread any passages? If so, which ones?

Discuss the book’s structure and the author’s use of language and writing style. How does the author draw the reader in and keep them engaged? Does the author convey her story with comedy, self-pity, or something else?

What do you think the author’s most admirable quality is? Is this someone you would want to know or have known?

Are there lingering questions from the book you’re still thinking about? If you could ask the author anything, what would it be?

Compare this book to other memoirs your group has read. Is it similar to any of them? Did you like it more or less than the other books you’ve read? How did the book impact you and what do you think will be your lasting impression of the book?

Squirrel Pie Book Club Questions PDF

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