Then ask the class to discuss alternative scenarios. Griffin, and Julie in I Know What You Did Last Summer victims of peer pressure? Divide the class into small groups and ask them to role-play a real-life scene where a student is pressured.

How are Sarah in Gallows Hill, Susan in Killing Mr. Ask the class to discuss how peer pressure is related to the desire to be accepted by others. Peer Pressure-Eric in Gallows Hill, Mark in Killing Mr.Griffin, and Barry in I Know What You Did Last Summer are masters at manipulating their peers. Engage the class in a discussion about ways to make an outsider feel accepted. How does the desire to be accepted affect student behavior in most schools? Ask students to discuss news events where poor judgment and the desire to be accepted ended in tragedy. Each girl, in her effort to be accepted, makes a bad decision and takes part in something that is very wrong. Ask students to discuss how each of these characters might be considered an outsider. Griffin, and April in Don't Look Behind You, are striving to be accepted by the kids at school. Engage the class in a discussion about what they should do if they suddenly find themselves in a prank about to turn bad.Īcceptance-Sarah in Gallows Hill, Susan in Killing Mr.

What are the most frequent crimes committed by teenagers? How do pranks lead to crimes? Many teenaged criminals are good kids who made bad decisions. Invite a police officer to talk with the students about teenaged crime in their city or town. They also offer readers the thrill of a good mystery. Lois Duncan, the most popular writer of suspense stories for young adults, presents characters that experience many of the same issues that today's teenagers face: acceptance, peer pressure, revenge, responsibility, and leadership are just a few.ĭuncan's books are excellent choices for reading aloud and for engaging the class in meaningful dialogue. Everyone else is enchanted by her-including Rachel's boyfriend. Why is Rachel the only one to sense the evil that surrounds Julia?įrom the moment Rachel's cousin Julia arrives that summer, she seems to seep into Rachel's life like a poison.

Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan