Thirsty

From Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments, comes a gripping read about a queer teen risking it all to pledge an underground sorority with her best friends the summer before college--perfect for fans of Euphoria and Girl in Pieces.

It's the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella's acceptance is a sure thing--she's the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.

As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella's pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she's bold, funny, and unstoppable--and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake's drinking, until it's seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she's fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut . . .

But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she's willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success--and how much of herself she's willing to lose in the process.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

Book club questions for Thirsty by Tracey Bateman

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

Thirsty begins with a second-person chapter titled “How to Be the Life of the Party” and ends with a very different chapter of the same name. There are several more of these “How to” chapters throughout the book. Why do you think Jas Hammonds chose to begin and end the book this way? What do you think these sections add to the narrative?

Describe Blake and Ella’s relationship. How does it change throughout the book? At what point did you realize that Ella isn’t the supportive, loving girlfriend Blake thinks she is? What were the signs? How was their relationship different from Blake’s relationship with Annetta?

The novel centers around Blake’s desire to get into the Serena Society, a secret sorority for women of color. What did you think about the Serena Society? Did your perception of it change over the course of the novel? Why do you think Blake was so desperate to become a member? Why do you think a sorority like the Serena Society might hold such a strong appeal for teens?

In their author’s note, Hammonds shares that, in the fall of 2019, they decided to stop drinking for thirty days, and that’s when they started writing Thirsty. They explain that, when they began exploring sobriety, they didn’t have a lot of stories that resonated with them and mirrored their own experiences, so they decided to create one. They say, “I didn’t write this book to provide answers. I wrote it to ask questions.” What do you think are the most important questions the book is asking?

In the same note, Hammonds gives some examples of the kinds of questions they hope readers of the book might explore: Is alcohol adding or subtracting value to my life? Why do I drink? Do I even like drinking? Are there people in my life who push alcohol on me, even when I say no? Have I been that person? Imagine that you’re Blake (or any other character) and ask yourself these questions. What comes up for you?

This novel touches on a lot of tough issues: alcoholism, peer pressure, anxiety, classism, racism, homophobia, and societal expectations. How do these issues intersect with Blake’s identity as a Black, queer teen from a working-class family? What effect do these issues have on her drinking?

Despite the often heavy subject matter, there’s plenty of fun, drama, joy, and humor in the novel. How well do you think Hammonds balanced the plot and the themes? Do you think storytelling like this is important? Why?

On its surface, the title may appear to be solely about drinking and addiction, but what else is Blake thirsty for? Thoughout the novel, she finds herself in a number of exclusive spaces—the Spencer’s home and gated community, to the Crystal Grove country club, and, of course, the Serena Society. How does her presence in these spaces alleviate and/or intensify that thirst? In what ways does Blake’s longing and fear of missing out effect the choices she makes?

One of the most important parts of Blake’s journey toward sobriety and healing is her support system. However, Blake often struggles to differentiate between those who genuinely care about her and those who don’t have her best interests at heart. What does her support system look like? Who’s in it? Is it just people, or are there places, organizations, and routines that also contribute to it? What sets them apart from the negative influences? How different do you think Blake’s life might have been if she’d had a stronger support system?

Thirsty is forthright and direct in the way it explores teen addiction. Have you read other books about teenagers working through addiction? Did it surprise you to encounter a YA book about drinking and party culture? If you’re a teen, did read- ing this book bring up anything that you wish people understood better about social pressure in high school and college?

Thirsty Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Thirsty discussion questions

"A sensitively wrought and gorgeously written exploration of a young woman's hard-won journey back to herself.” —Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie and I’m the Girl

"Jas Hammonds remains one of literature's most electric voices. Breathtaking and courageous, Thirsty will change lives. Blake Brenner's story challenges our social norms, perception of addiction, and expectations for all kinds of love. I was dazzled and devastated by every page, and ultimately left profoundly moved.” —Jen St. Jude, author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come

"Thirsty is the first lungful of air when you’re drowning. An astonishing, compassionate, and deeply complicated novel about addiction, friendship, and loyalty that will leave your heart singing. Don’t miss this!” —Mark Oshiro, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Light

"Utterly consuming and tenderly poignant, Thirsty is a fearless exploration of toxicity, addiction, rage, and healing. A transformative novel that readers will cling to long after the final page.”—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You