About This Book
Paul Fleischman's "A Fate Totally Worse Than Death" is a satirical horror novel for young adults, cleverly parodying the genre while delivering a strong message about bullying and consequences. The story centers on Danielle, Brooke, and Tiffany, a trio of popular, privileged, and profoundly mean high school girls. When a beautiful exchange student, Helga, threatens their social reign, the girls plot her downfall, only to find themselves afflicted with rapid aging and the ailments of the elderly. What they believe to be a ghost's revenge turns out to be a more calculated form of justice. This book is best suited for readers aged 12-16 who appreciate dark humor, social commentary, and stories where antagonists receive their just deserts.
In this horror novel parody, three self-centered members of Cliffside High School's ruling clique, who are beginning to age rapidly, become convinced that the beautiful new exchange student is the ghost of the girl whose death they caused the year before.
bullying
Character Death
Violence
peril_danger
Scary Scenes
Discussion Prompts
1
What do you think about the way Danielle, Brooke, and Tiffany treated Helga and Charity?
2
Do you think the punishment the girls received was fair? Why or why not?
3
How does this book make fun of typical horror stories you might have read or seen?
4
What does this story teach us about jealousy, popularity, and kindness?
5
If you were Mrs. Witt, would you have sought revenge in the same way?
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