There There Book Club Discussion Questions

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Quick answer: Good book club questions for There There focus on urban Native identity, trauma and community. Below are 17 questions grouped by theme, with a spoiler-free summary, a characters-and-themes table, meeting ideas and a sample 90-minute plan.

Quick facts

– Book: There There by Tommy Orange

– First published: 2018

– Setting: Oakland, California

– Content note: Gun violence, addiction and strong language

There There is a rewarding choice for a book club because it gives readers plenty to discuss without needing special knowledge. This guide gives you questions you can use as written or adapt for your group, plus ideas for running the meeting, so that a host with little time can still lead a good conversation.

Spoiler-Free Summary

Twelve Native characters, living in and around Oakland, are each heading to the Big Oakland Powwow for different reasons. Some are seeking family, some money and some connection. A young man named Orvil wants to dance for the first time, and Dene Oxendene is collecting stories. As their lives converge on one day, violence threatens the celebration.

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Main Characters and Themes

Character or Theme	What to Know
Orvil Red Feather	A teen who wants to dance
Dene Oxendene	A filmmaker collecting stories
Jacquie Red Feather	Orvil's grandmother's sister
Tony Loneman	A young man drawn into a robbery plan

Discussion Questions (Contains Spoilers)

These questions assume everyone has finished the book, so they discuss the ending. They are grouped by theme so you can move through them in order or jump to the topic your group cares about most. Feel free to rephrase them, add follow-up questions such as “why do you think so?” and skip any that do not suit your members.

Opening Reactions

What was your first impression of There There, and did it change as you read?
Which scene or passage stayed with you most, and why?

The Characters

Which character's story affected you most?
How do the lives connect?
Who did you want to protect?
Which voice was most memorable?

Identity

What does “urban Indian” mean in the book?
How does the prologue change your reading?
What does the title mean?
How do the characters find belonging?

The Ending

How did you feel about the powwow scenes?
Was the ending expected?
Why did it win many awards?
Would you read the sequel?

Looking Back

How did the ending of There There make you feel, and was it the ending you expected?
Would you recommend this book to a friend, and what would you tell them first?
If you could ask Tommy Orange one question, what would it be?

Meeting Ideas

Read the prologue aloud together before discussing the characters.

A simple way to start is to have each person share a one-sentence rating of the book before discussion begins. It surfaces disagreements early and gives quieter members a chance to speak first. You can also ask each member to bring one question of their own, which often leads to the best conversations of the night.

Ways to Make the Discussion Richer

Compare formats. If a film, series or stage version of There There exists, discuss what changes and why.
Share a favorite line. Ask each person to read a short passage that stood out and explain what it meant to them.
Cast the book. Ask the group who they would cast in the main roles, and why.
Rate the pace. Ask where the book felt fastest or slowest, and whether the structure worked for them.
Pair it with a snack or drink. Food connected to the story gives guests something to talk about before the formal discussion starts.

Tips for Leading the Discussion

Prepare, but stay flexible. Pick a handful of questions in advance and let the group's reactions guide you.
Invite quieter voices. Ask someone who has not spoken to share a favorite line or scene.
Welcome disagreement. A lively debate about a character is a sign that the book is working.
Return to the text. Ask members to point to a passage in There There that supports their view.
Watch the clock. Move on when a question has run its course, and save extra questions for another time.

If your group has only an hour, choose one question from each theme and skip the rest.

Is There There a Good Book Club Pick?

There There is powerful and fast-paced, ideal for groups ready for an intense discussion.

Books Like This One

Five Little Indians by Michelle Good: residential school survivors
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice: an Anishinaabe community

How to Structure Your Meeting

A 90-minute meeting works well in four parts:

Welcome and quick ratings (10 minutes). Settle in and share a one-line reaction.
Spoiler-free talk (20 minutes). Start with characters, setting and style before the plot.
Spoiler discussion (45 minutes). Work through three or four of the questions above, letting the conversation wander when it is productive.
Wrap-up (15 minutes). Share favorite lines, choose the next book and thank the host.

If the conversation is going well, it is fine to let it run long and skip some questions.

After the Meeting

Send a short follow-up message with the next title, the date and a link to any readings or articles that came up. Some groups keep a simple record of books read and ratings, which makes it easier to choose future picks and spot the kinds of books the group loves most.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions should we prepare for There There?

Five to eight is enough for a 90-minute meeting. This guide gives seventeen, so you can choose the ones that fit your group.

Does There There work as a first pick for a new book club?