Resources for discussions, events and displays about The Nickel Boys and the Dozier School

BOOKS ABOUT DOZIER SCHOOL

COMPILED BY DIANE BRIEL, LIBRARIAN, PBCLS The Dozier School for Boys: Forensics, Survivors and a Painful Past Elizabeth Murray Lerner Publications 2020 Lies Uncovered: The Truth About the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys: The Long Journey Home by Duane Fernandez Daytona Times photojournalist Death at Dozier School: Attempted Assassination of an American City Dale Cox Bascom, : Old Kitchen Books, 2014 The Truth: You Decide: Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys Investigative Study Roger Dean Kiser Brunswick, Ga.] : [Roger Dean Kiser], [2010? Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys Self Study January-April 1969 Florida Division of Youth Services Marianna FL The School 1969 White House Boys: An American Tragedy Roger Dean Kiser Health Communications, Inc Brunswick Georgia 2010 Boys of the Dark: A Story of Redemption and Betrayal in the Deep South Robin Gaby Fisher 2010 St Martin’s Press

ADDITIONAL DIGITAL BOOK DISCUSSION AND INTERNET RESOURCES ABOUT THE DOZIER SCHOOL AND THE NICKEL BOYS COMPILED BY DIANE BRIEL, LIBRARIAN, PBCLS https://bookriot.com/the-nickel-boys-book-club-questions/ https://www.litlovers.com/reading-guides/fiction/11622-nickel-boys-whitehead Roxane Gay’s Book Club on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ReLdi6VDs https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/223161/the-nickel-boys-by-colson- whitehead/9780345804341/readers-guide/ https://www.abandonedfl.com/arthur-g-dozier-school-for-boys/ Collection Florida Memory website at floridamemory.com https://digital.lib.usf.edu/dozierarchive https://the1a.org/segments/2019-07-29-colson-whitehead-exhumes-the-past-in-the- nickel-boys/

Resources for discussions, events and displays about The Nickel Boys and the Dozier School https://electricliterature.com/the-real-life-nickel-boys-speak-out-about-their-abuse/ PBS TV Series 2015 Aware with Dee Dee Sharp https://www.pbs.org/video/aware- dozier-school-boys-part-1-white-house-boys/

Additional Resources:

The Nickel Boys by - Questions for Discussion

BY TINA MAURA, “BOOK GODDESS”, MANDEL PUBLIC LIBRARY

1. The narrative is set during the time of the under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. How does this affect the characters and events in the book?

2. Where does Elwood’s idealism come from? How does he change over time as a result of his experiences? What good qualities do you see in other characters?

3. Can the events at Nickel Academy be seen as a reflection of the history of slavery and Jim Crow? In what way?

4. Did you realize the book was based on an actual “reform school” which only closed in 2011? How does this change your perception of the book?

5. Although the title of the book is The Nickel Boys, the story is told primarily from Elwood’s point of view. Who do you think the title refers to?

6. Why do you think Turner changed his mind about giving Elwood’s letter to the school inspectors?

7. Were you happy with how you thought Elwood’s life had turned out? How did you feel about the plot twist at the end?

8. Why did it take so long for Turner to reveal his story and identity to his wife?

9. How does the closing scene in the hotel restaurant recall the idealism of Elwood’s youth? Do you find this a hopeful ending to the book?