The Benefits of Being an Octopus

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text throughout your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Zoey believes that other students in school look down on her, and her peers often treat her differently.

• How do the characters in the novel disparage Zoey? (topic sentence)
• Describe three examples from the novel in which Zoey’s classmates treat her as inferior.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how Zoey overcomes the attitudes of the other students.

2. The Benefits of Being an Octopus is told from Zoey’s point of view.

• How would the story differ if the author told it from the perspective of another character? (topic sentence)
• Explain how the novel would be different if told from Matt and Fuchsia’s viewpoints.
• In your concluding sentences, explain why you believe the author uses Zoey’s perspective in the novel.

3. The socioeconomic divide is one of the novel’s central themes.

• How does Zoey’s socioeconomic status inhibit her in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Zoey’s socioeconomic status influences her schoolwork, her interactions with peers, and her home life.
• In your concluding sentences, explain whether you believe the author’s portrayal of the socioeconomic divide is accurate.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. This novel is a coming-of-age story–the protagonist’s growth from childhood to adulthood. Zoey Albro is in seventh grade. Identify the moments in the novel when Zoey “grows up.” How does Zoey exhibit personal growth? How does her thinking shift? What people and circumstances are important for Zoey’s change in thinking? What does that mean for Zoey’s character arc? Cite specific examples from the text.

2. To manage life’s necessities, Kara and Zoey must navigate government services for disadvantaged families. In your opinion, are the services adequate in meeting the needs of families like Zoey’s? What are some examples in the novel of government institutions failing to meet Zoey’s and Fuchsia’s needs? Do you think the author’s depiction is accurate? What should be done to help families like Zoey’s?

3. Ms. Rochambeau’s life advice to Zoey is to “suck it up.” Do you think her advice is appropriate or too harsh for a child in Zoey’s circumstances? What is the result of Ms. Rochambeau’s relationship with Zoey? Does she benefit her? Why do you think Ms. Rochambeau reacts this way to Zoey, given Ms. Rochambeau’s background?