These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the novel.

Pre-Reading “Icebreaker”

In Goodbye Days, Carver Briggs and his friends are all students at the Nashville Arts Academy, and each has a unique creative skill—Carver is a writer, Blake does comedy (YouTube sketches), Mars is an artist (graphic novels), and Eli is a musician (guitar). Each of the deceased boys leaves behind artistic creations. Do you think it’s possible for a person to “live on” through their art? How can an art object reflect a person’s unique spirit? Do you have a creative pursuit you practice (or would like to learn)?

Teaching Suggestion: Use this prompt to give students some insights into the “art” each boy creates. Blake’s fart videos on YouTube are his “art,” for example. Although we will never meet Blake’s character in the book, this fact tells us a lot about him—he’s a humorous jokester and prankster. You can also use this question to introduce a broader discussion of what constitutes “art.” Are non-fungible tokens (NFTs) art? Is graffiti like Banksy’s art? Is a YouTube prank video art? Or is it only art if it’s hanging on the wall of the Louvre in Paris, like the Mona Lisa?