Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book. 1. If you were to write an additional chapter set five years after the novel’s conclusion, what would have changed for the main characters? 2. Imagine you are producing a film adaptation of We Are Not Like Them. Which scenes would be most powerful visually? 3. Create an alternative ending of the story. How could you offer both hope and realism while acknowledging the continuing issues of racial injustice? Need more inspiration for your next meeting? <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/resources/#book-club-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Browse all of our Book Club Resources</a>.

Creative Engagement

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism and illness or death. Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book. 1. We Are Not Like Them was co-written by Christine Pride, a Black author, and Jo Piazza, a white author. What impact did this collaborative authorship have on the authenticity of the different viewpoints on race portrayed in the novel? 2. Riley and Jenny are both presented as alternating first-person narrators in the story. Did one of their perspectives resonate more strongly with you? 3. In what ways does this novel compare to other works exploring racial tensions, such as Angie Thomas’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/the-hate-u-give/summary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Hate U Give</a> or Celeste Ng’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/little-fires-everywhere/summary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Little Fires Everywhere</a>?

General Impressions

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism. 1. How do the authors use symbolism (like the childhood nicknames “Pony” and “Puff”) to illustrate racial dynamics in the story? 2. Silence is a significant motif in the novel. What message does the book convey about avoiding difficult conversations? 3. Think about the alternating perspectives in the novel. How did the authors’ choice to bookend Riley and Jenny’s alternating first-person narratives with Justin’s perspective in the Prologue and Tamara’s in the Epilogue impact the story? 4. Consider the ways that Riley and Jenny change throughout the novel. How do the authors show character development in the two friends? 5. How does the Philadelphia setting contribute to the story’s themes and conflicts beyond serving as a simple backdrop?

Literary Analysis

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences. 1. Riley and Jenny’s friendship spans decades but faces its greatest test when confronted with racial issues they’ve never directly addressed. Do you have a friendship in your life that has survived significant challenges? How did you manage to maintain the friendship through these challenges? 2. Jenny reflects on times she remained silent when witnessing racism, acknowledging she was “betraying Riley with my silence” (40). Have you ever witnessed a significant injustice as it was happening? If you did not speak up, do you regret staying silent? 3. The characters experience different forms of grief throughout the novel. Which character’s experience with loss felt most relatable to you? 4. Do you see any similarities between your personal relationships and the complicated friendship that Riley and Jenny navigate? 5. Riley struggles to share her experiences as a Black woman with the white people in her life. What aspects of your identity have been difficult to communicate to others?

Personal Reflection and Connection

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes. 1. The novel draws parallels between Kevin’s and Shaun’s legal consequences, highlighting disparities in the justice system. What statements is the novel making about accountability in our legal institutions? 2. What responsibilities do journalists like Riley have when covering racist incidents in their communities? 3. Consider the novel’s portrayal of police culture, particularly the emphasis on loyalty. How does the story reflect broader societal debates about police reform?

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Overview

Get ready to explore We Are Not Like Them and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

We Are Not Like Them Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue

We Are Not Like Them Prologue Summary & Analysis

Chapters 1-3

We Are Not Like Them Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-5

We Are Not Like Them Chapters 4-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-8

We Are Not Like Them Chapters 6-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 9 We Are Not Like Them Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-12

We Are Not Like Them Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 13 We Are Not Like Them Chapter 13 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 14-15

We Are Not Like Them Chapters 14-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 16-Epilogue

We Are Not Like Them Chapter 16-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

We Are Not Like Them Character Analysis

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Themes

We Are Not Like Them Themes

Symbols & Motifs

We Are Not Like Them Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

We Are Not Like Them Important Quotes with Page Numbers

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Essay Topics

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We Are Not Like Them Book Club Questions

We Are Not Like Them

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