Charisma Discussion Guide

Discussion Guide
CHARISMA
BY
Dial Books/Pen
guin Random Ho
use
J E A N N E RYA N
Author of Nerve
One shot at the new you.
-6
978- 0- 8037-3966
OW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO change yourself

from the inside out? Sixteen-year-old Aislyn is the
kind of shy that makes her choke up in class and avoid
parties. And it means talking to her crush, Jack, is a total
non-starter. So when shes offered a dose of Charisma,
an underground gene therapy guaranteed to make her
shine, she jumps at the chance for an internal makeover.
The effects are instant. Shes charming, vivacious, and
popular. But strangely, so are some other kids she knows. The media goes into a frenzy when the therapy turns
contagious, and then deadly, and the doctor who created the drug disappears. Aislyn must choose between
reversing the treatment and losing her new personality, or risking her life for a shot at charisma.
Part medical thriller, part social justice commentary, Jeanne Ryans thought-provoking novel will have teen
readers on the edge of their seats.
Suspense balances with discussions of bioethics for a provocative and entertaining read. . . . A solid thriller.
Kirkus Reviews
. . . this fast-paced and edgy novel has enough thrills, romance, and family drama to please a wide audience.
This Robin Cooklike thriller zips along at breakneck speed to a satisfying conclusion.
Booklist
Not a far step from Ned VizzinisBe More Chill. . . . The science is explained well enough for non-scientist
readers to understand, and gives teens much to think about regarding medical ethics and experimentation.
School Library Journal
jeanneryan.com
Common Core State Standards addressed by the discussion questions in this guide are noted throughout.
For more information on the Common Core, visit corestandards.org.
Discussion Questions
begins with Aislyn Hollings suffering a panic attack during her science presentation.
Charisma
One of the judges, Dr. Lin, poses a question to Aislyn that is central to the theme of Charisma: If
you could fix genetic mutations, where would you draw the line? Aislyn struggles to give Dr. Lin an
answer. If the same question were posed to Aislyn at the end of Charisma, how might she respond?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3
has endured several treatments to help alleviate her anxiety, none of which has worked.
Aislyn
Describe the approach that Aislyns best friend, Evie, uses to treat Aislyns shyness. How does Aislyn
feel about this approach?
author of Charisma, Jeanne Ryan, concludes many chapters with an article, news report, e-mail,
The
or blog entry that focuses on gene therapy. How do these snippets of text add to the telling of Aislyns
story? What function do these bits of information serve in presenting the conflict around gene therapy?
is just one of the hurdles Aislyn faces in life. What other factors present challenges for Aislyn
Shyness
and might explain why she is willing to try the experimental gene therapy?
and her family are closely linked to Nova Genetics through Aislyns interest in science and her
Aislyn
brothers cystic fibrosis. How does Dr. Sternfield capitalize on these connections to Nova Genetics?
declares that she wants to change herself and quickly submits to Dr. Sternfields push to be
Aislyn
injected with CZ88, though Aislyn recognizes a nagging feeling that she should have asked for more
details about the effects of the drug. What begins to happen to those who are injected with CZ88?
novel Flowers for Algernon is mentioned a few times in Charismafirst as required summer
The
reading for Aislyn and again as a novel in Dr. Sternfields cabin in the woods. What is the significance
of Flowers of Algernon and how it might relate to the plot of Charisma?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.9
after Aislyns visit to Nova Genetics, Evie notices changes in Aislyn. What are some of the
Soon
changes in Aislyns behavior, voice, and demeanor that Evie notes?
does Aislyn discover that she might not be the only subject injected with CZ88? What effect does
How
the drug have on others who also attended the family event at Nova Genetics?
CHARISMA Discussion Guide
This page may be photocopied for free distribution.
feels that her new abilities could make a meaningful difference. What does she mean by this?
Aislyn
How significant is Aislyns altruism in her decision to be injected with CZ88?
Dr. Sternfields intern, plays a pivotal role in revealing what has happened to the teenagers who
Xavier,
are fainting and behaving differently. What does Xavier share about Dr. Sternfields work?
Who is Dr. Culdicott and what story events trigger the introduction of her character?
is a kind presence at the science contest as Aislyn fumbles her presentation in front of the judges.
Jack
After being injected with CZ88, Aislyn becomes more extroverted and able to respond to Jack in a more
romantic way. Do you think that the relationship between Jack and Aislyn would have developed without
Charisma? Can a real relationship exist if it is based on an altered state of being?
author draws parallels between how the teenagers injected with CZ88 are treated and how those
The
infected with HIV are treated (and were treated in the past). What are the similarities between the two
groups? What message is the author trying to convey by likening CZ88 to HIV?
of the teenagers who were injected with CZ88 eventually fall into a coma. Shane and Aislyn, in
Most
contrast, remain conscious and become CZ88 focal points for politicians, school boards, scientists, and
haters. Each group has a unique motivation for their focus on the healthy teens. In what ways do these
various groups use Shane and Aislyn to promote their own agendas?
How does Dr. Sternfield respond to the mounting bad news surrounding the teens injected with Charisma?
Aislyn is released from isolation at the hospital, she concocts a plan to find out more information
Once
about Dr. Sternfield from Dr. Sternfields mother. Aislyn hopes that Dr. Sternfields mother will have
insight about a possible cure for those injected with Charisma. How does Aislyn execute the plan and
what are the results?
role do Dr. Dulcet and VidaLexor play in Aislyns pursuit of a cure for Dr. Sternfields brand of
What
gene therapy?
agrees to give a speech about gene therapy and her experience with Charisma at Nova Genetics.
Aislyn
The Aislyn at the beginning of the story couldnt conceive of standing in front of a group of important
people to give a speech. What might have motivated Aislyn to speak about gene therapy besides the
personality-altering effects of Charisma?
plays a pivotal role in Aislyns journey from accepting the gene therapy and battling the physical
Shane
side effects, to pursuing answers to the mystery of Charisma. Compare the characters of Shane and Jack
and how each affect Aislyn as she journeys from shy girl to extrovert to brave detective.
Aislyn and Shane head to the beach after Aislyns talk at Nova Genetics, things go horribly awry.
When
Who are the blood jackers and what is their interest in Aislyn and Shane?
braves another visit to Mrs. Sternfields house, successfully breaking into it, but is interrupted
Aislyn
before she can gain any information to help those suffering from the effects of Charisma. Further
sleuthing on her part does lead to a startling discovery though. What does Aislyn discover and what
happens as a result of her discovery?
Sternfield says to Aislyn, Wasnt it worth the risk to enjoy even a few days of life to its fullest rather
Dr.
than enduring a long existence of mediocrity? Discuss the pros and cons of this point of view about
tinkering with DNA.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2; ; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2
end of the story, Aislyn is handed a drug at a party that she is convinced was created by
AtDr.theSternfield.
The drug promises to make you feel oh-so-friendly. Despite all of the pain Aislyn has
been through as a result of Charisma, she finds herself briefly attracted to the drug and to the idea of
being more than myself for just a night. What does this ending scene say about human nature and the
impetus for desiring change?
Author JEANNE RYAN grew up in a huge familyeleven brothers and sisters!that

traveled the world. Before writing fiction, she tried her hand at many things, including
war game simulation and youth development research. She has a Ph.D. in Social Welfare
and lives with her family in Seattle, Washington. Jeannes previous novel, Nerve, a YA
thriller about an online game of Truth or Dare (without the Truth) is currently being
made into a feature film starring Emma Roberts and Dave Franco.
Also by JEANNE RYAN
NERVE
Soon to be a feature film!

978-0-8037-3832-4
The discussion questions in this guide were created by Leigh Courtney, Ph.D. She teaches in the Global Education
program at a public school in San Diego, California. She holds both masters and doctoral degrees in education, with an
emphasis on curriculum and instruction.

Charisma Discussion Guide

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Charisma Discussion Guide

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Discussion Guide

One shot at the new you.

OW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO change yourself

CHARISMA Discussion Guide

This page may be photocopied for free distribution.

CHARISMA Discussion Guide

This page may be photocopied for free distribution.

Author JEANNE RYAN grew up in a huge familyeleven brothers and sisters!that

Also by JEANNE RYAN

Soon to be a feature film!

This page may be photocopied for free distribution.

S-ar putea să vă placă și