Band Fags! (39 page)

A READING GROUP GUIDE

BAND FAGS!

Frank Anthony Polito

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The suggested questions are included to enchance your group's reading of Frank Anthony Polito's
Band Fags!

1. Were you a Band Fag? If so, what instrument did you play? What was it like being a Band Fag at your school?
   
2. Who was your Best Friend growing up? Where is he now? Do you still keep in touch? What were some of the crazy things you did together as kids?
   
3. Jack denies being gay at several points during the story. He even goes so far as to say he doesn't
   want
   to be gay. Did you find his attitude to be one of self-loathing or could you sympathize with his desire to be “normal”?
   
4. Jack confides in us that he had his first crush on Donny Osmond at 6 years old. At what age were you first aware of your sexuality and who was your first crush?
   
5. If you happen to be gay, at what age did you first realize you might be “like that”? Who was the first person you told and what was the reaction?
   
6. If you suspected your child was gay, would you have confronted him or her like Jack's Mom did? Even though Jack's Mom totally sympathized, he continued to lie about his sexuality after the fact. Why do you think this is?
   
7. Jack's high school Band teacher, Mr. Klan, is most likely gay. What responsibility do you think gay adults, especially teachers, have in helping teens they suspect to be gay realize it's okay to be so?
   
8. Band Fags!
   is told only from Jack's point of view. Would you have preferred to hear more of Brad's side of the story? If so, what moments from Brad's life might you have liked to have seen?
   
9. The author consciously chose to use repeated phrases and bits of dialogue throughout
   Band Fags!
   Were you aware of this device, and did it enhance your experience of the story? What were some of the more memorable moments of repetition?
   
10. What do you imagine happens next for Jack and Brad? Do you think they'll really be Best Friends Forever?