Here’s a fun group of questions
Handling anger & frustration
- (Ch. 1, pizza box tower collapse) When Nico’s tower of boxes fell down, what did he do instead of getting angry? Have you ever turned a frustrating moment into something funny?
- (Ch. 2, arcade game) Nico gets upset in this scene, but it doesn’t really seem to be about the game. What do you think is really bothering him underneath?
Dealing with disappointment
- (Ch. 4–5, Miami Slice arrives) What would you do if you found out something you loved might be taken away?
- (Ch. 33, “The Contest That Wasn’t”) When something you were excited about doesn’t go the way you hoped, how do you handle that feeling?
The joy of helping others
- (Ch. 13–15, CB radios for the Marina & Shantytown) Nico and Tazz noticed a problem that wasn’t really their problem and fixed it anyway. Why does helping people who have less sometimes feel better than helping ourselves?
- (Ch. 36, “Nico’s Pizza Party”) Nico wants to do something generous even though he’s scared his dad will say no. Have you ever wanted to do something kind but were afraid of what someone might think?
Making wise decisions
- (Tazz asks for “24 hours”) Instead of giving up after a “no,” Tazz asks for a chance to prove her idea. Why is asking for a chance a wise way to handle rejection?
- (Dino’s scholarship) Dino makes a hard choice to leave home for his future. What makes a decision like that both exciting and scary at the same time?
Creative problem-solving
- (Ch. 8, sand drawings) The kids use something free — the beach — instead of spending money. What’s a time you solved a problem using something you already had?
- (Ch. 12, “Operation Market Art”) Why might a creative idea work better than an obvious one?
- (Ch. 17–18, “Homemade Hype Everywhere”) The kids get the island talking without any advertising budget. What does that tell you about word-of-mouth?
Facing something bigger than you
- (Miami Slice billboard/truck) Miami Slice is big, flashy, and has more money. What do you think makes something genuinely “better” — being big, or being personal?
Family & belonging (grounded in Ch. 1)
- Nico’s mom isn’t around anymore, and it’s clear he still misses how she helped at the pizzeria. Sometimes people carry a loss quietly while still showing up for their family every day, like Nico does. Has someone you loved ever shown you what it looks like to keep going even when things are hard?
Growing up & new responsibility (grounded in Ch. 1)
- When Dino leaves, Nico and Tazz step into a role that used to belong to someone older. Has there been a time you had to grow into a responsibility before you felt totally ready for it?
Friendship
- (Nico & Tazz’s dynamic throughout) Tazz worries after teasing Nico that she said the wrong thing, even though she meant it kindly. Has a joke or comment you made ever landed differently than you intended? What did you do about it?
Pursuing what you love (grounded in Ch. 1)
- Bonga tells Nico he needs to “get back on that thing” — his guitar — even though Nico’s been too busy. Is there something you used to love doing that you’ve drifted away from? What would it take to get back to it?
Courage
- Standing up to a company as big as Miami Slice could feel impossible for two kids. Where do you think Nico and Tazz’s courage comes from?
Working together through hard times (chapter titles only — to confirm)
- It sounds like a storm causes real problems for deliveries at one point in the story. What does the book seem to say about how a community handles a hard day together?
Cultural community (grounded across Part 1)
- The island is full of people from different backgrounds — Tony’s Italian, Bonga’s Jamaican, and there are other cultures and languages mentioned throughout. What do you think makes a community stronger: everyone being the same, or everyone being different?
Self-acceptance
20. Nico is a little clumsy and wears his glasses proudly, and it’s part of what makes him him. Is there something about yourself that felt like a weakness at first but turned out to be something you’re proud of?