Discussion Guide for What We Wish For

1. At the beginning of the novel, after finding a twenty-dollar-bill, Layla says that money “fixes things.” Do you think she’s justified in thinking this? In what ways is money not able to fix things for Layla?

2. At one point in the novel, Layla justifies her mom’s behavior by reminding herself that alcoholism is a disease. Do you think she truly believes that, and if so, why is she so angry, frustrated, and mortified by her mom’s behavior?

Discussion Guide for A Work of Art

1. In the book’s opening paragraph, Tera says that painting her dad is “all about mood.” What mood does the author create in describing this painting? After reading this paragraph, how do you think Tera sees her father?

2. In chapter three, Tera’s dad is teaching five-year-old Tera to draw a self-portrait. In what ways does this chapter foreshadow their relationship?