The Wave

Name: The Wave
ISBN: 9780440993711

by Todd Strasser

Based on a true story, this gripping novel shows how a teacher's experiment to demonstrate the appeal of Nazism quickly transforms a high school into a chilling, authoritarian society. Two students mu

About This Book

Todd Strasser's "The Wave" is a powerful and unsettling young adult novel based on a real-life classroom experiment conducted in a California high school in 1967. A history teacher, attempting to explain how Nazism could rise, creates a movement called "The Wave" with strict rules and a strong sense of community. What begins as an educational exercise rapidly escalates into a school-wide phenomenon, demanding absolute loyalty and silencing dissent. The book masterfully explores themes of conformity, peer pressure, the dangers of unquestioning obedience, and the courage required to stand up for individuality and truth. It's an excellent choice for sparking deep discussions about history, social psychology, and moral responsibility with teenagers aged 12 and up.

A dramatization of an actual classroom experiment in establishing a fascist society. In this account, Laurie tries to persuade Mr. Ross to call off the experiment.

Heads up, parents

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bullying

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Discussion Prompts

How did Mr. Ross's experiment initially make the students feel, and why do you think they embraced 'The Wave' so quickly?

Laurie and David eventually decide to resist 'The Wave.' What were the key moments or realizations that led them to this decision?

Robert Billings finds a sense of belonging in 'The Wave.' How does his experience highlight the complex appeal of such movements, even when they are dangerous?

What lessons can we learn from 'The Wave' about the importance of critical thinking, individuality, and questioning authority?

Have you ever felt pressure to conform to a group, even if it felt wrong? How did you handle it?

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