1. Through Malcolm, Chad learns a lot about what it takes to be a Bozo, but why did Chad find the job so appealing even when he knew nothing about it?
2. Do you agree with Chad's mother's motivation for not letting him get a job? Why or why not?
3. Chad causes a lot of trouble for Malcolm at the house, so why does Malcolm stand up for Chad and bail him out when Chad ends up in jail?
4. If Malcolm hadn't forced Chad out of his self-imposed catatonic-on-the-couch state, do you think Jason would have recovered as well as he did?
5. p.192-93: Malcolm tells Chad to "get off the couch," and says that even though Chad left the house, he hasn't gotten off the couch yet. What does he mean by that, and what event do you think really made Chad "get off the couch."
6. Jason's parents made it abundantly clear that Chad was not welcome in the hospital during Jason's illness. Chad went to visit him anyway. Why would he risk being banned from Jason's life?
7. What do you think about the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine."?
8. This book deals with some serious issues, but it is also very funny. What role does humor play in this story?
9. What do you think Bozo would shout at you?
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