Discussion Questions
Chapter 1 - Slump
- Why do you think Evan is avoiding Jessie?
- At the end of the chapter, Evan told Jessie he hated her. Do you think he really meant it?
- Have you ever said something to someone in your family you didn’t really mean? Why?
Chapter 2 - Break Up
- How are the words “break-up” important in the chapter?
- If you could choose one grade to skip, which one would it be? Why?
- How would you feel if you were in Evan’s shoes and had a younger sibling in your class? Is it fair of him to treat Jessie poorly?
- How would you feel if you were in Jessie’s shoes?
Chapter 3 - Joint Venture
- Which characters are involved in a joint venture?
- Is Scott a true friend to Evan? Why do you think he decided to have a lemonade stand with Scott instead of Jessie?
- Do Jessie and Evan have the same strengths? What are their strengths?
Chapter 4 - Partnership
Chapters 1 and 3 were told in Evan’s point of view. Chapters 2 and 4 were told in Jessie’s point of view. This is a pattern that will continue throughout the story.)
- At the end of chapter 3, Evan thought that Jessie was boasting about the success of her lemonade stand. Because this chapter was told from Jessie’s point of view, we find out the true reason she smiled and waved the money. Was she boasting? What was Jessie hoping Evan would do?
Chapter 5 - Competition
- Have you ever felt competitive with someone you are close to? What was the competition about? What did you do? How was it resolved?
- What is the real problem in this story? Is this the kind of problem that can happen in a lot of families?
Chapter 6 - Underselling
- Up until now, Evan has been a great big brother to Jessie, especially when she experiences bullying at school.
- How has Evan supported Jessie?
Chapter 7 - Location, Location, Location
- Evan has a difficult time saving money. Are you a “saver” or a “spender”?
Chapter 8 - Going Global
- How is the lemonade war becoming global?
Chapter 9 - Negotiations
- Which character tried to negotiate with the other? Was it effective?
Chapter 10 - Malicious Mischief
- What kind of “fireworks” is Jessie expecting?
Chapter 11 - A Total Loss
- Which character experiences a total loss? Why?
- Who do you hope will win the war?
Chapter 12 - Waiting Period
- When returning from the beach, why was Jessie dreading seeing Evan?
- Are you still rooting for the same person to win? Why or Why not?
Chapter 13 - Crisis Management
- At the end of the chapter, what does Evan suspect?
Chapter 14 - Reconciliation
- Do you think Evan and Jessie won the war? Why?
- How do you think Jessie plans to get Megan’s money back?
- What lesson do you think Jessie and Evan learned from the lemonade war?
- What good things came out of the war?
- What can you learn from the story?