Shug by Jenny Han Annamarie, aka "Shug", doesn't understand why starting junior high has to change everything. Her parents aren't getting along. Her mother's bad habits seem to be getting worse. Her older sister can't wait to leave their small southern town for a big city college. Her friends are suddenly sorted out by invisible lines of "cool" and "not cool". Worst of all, her lifelong best friend Mark, for whom Annamarie harbors a secret crush, suddenly starts acting like a stranger, abandoning their usual rituals and hang-outs to be with "the guys". Set in a small southern town, where everyone knows everything about everybody, this coming of age story encompasses all of the insecurities that girls face as they make the confusing transition from being kids to being teenagers.

Discussion

Do you think that Annamarie's mom is a good mother? Do you think she is a good person?

Would you want Annemarie as your friend? Why or why not?

Annamarie thinks that Mark's family is perfect. Do you think that is really the case?

Based on Annamarie's experiences, would you like to live in a town like hers? What are the good points of small-town life? What are the bad points?

Annamarie drank beer at the sleepover even though she didn't want to. What does this say about Annamarie? What do you think her friends would have done if she had stood up for herself instead of giving in?

What do Mark and Annamarie have in common? What do Jack and Annamarie have in common?

Annamarie's nickname is "Shug", after a free spirited character in "The Color Purple". Mother swears that Annamarie was "special" and "her own person" since the moment she was born. Do you think that Annamarie is her "own person?"

Annamarie spends most of the book wishing she could be more like other people, or wishing that her family could be more like other families. Do you think anyone in the book wishes that they could be more like Annamarie or have a family like hers? Why?

Why doesn't Annamarie want to go to the dance? Why do you think she changes her mind?

Mairi isn't very nice, but she is very popular. Why do you think that is the case?

Annamarie thinks that Mairi and Hadley are super cool, but stuck-up. What do you think Sherilyn thinks of Annamarie?

Annamarie and her friends say and do things that make them feel "grown up". Does Annamarie do anything in the book that you think really IS mature or admirable?

Annamarie feels like everything about everybody is changing, and wishes that things could go back to the way they were in elementary school. Are you the sort of person who welcomes change, or are you more like Annamarie, who prefers the safe and familiar?

Celia can't wait to graduate and leave their small town. Why do you think she wants to leave?

Activity

Make your own beaded pony tail holder.

Materials:
Pony beads
Black elastic cord
Glue
Scissors

Cut the elastic cords into 24inch lengths. String the first row of three beads onto cord and push to the center of the cord. Lace the 2nd row of beads onto one cord. Lace the other cord through the same beads in reverse order. Pull both cords snugly. You should now have 2 rows of beads oriented side by side. Continue with the next row of beads until you have laced the twelve rows. Loop beads around and string one cord through first row of beads. Tie cords together pulling tight. Put a dab of white glue on knot. Let dry. Trim the extra cord.

Instructions and visuals aides for this craft can be viewed online at:
http://www.makingfriends.com/ponybead/ponytail_po nybeads.htm

Recipe

Enjoy red popsicles and cherry Lifesavers candies to show which boy you liked better for Shug: Mark or Jack!