Discussion Questions: When Cicadas Cry

​READING GROUP GUIDE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When Cicadas Cry

1. At first, Rem only reads a few chapters of Ashley’s book. If you knew a book was about you, would you read it entirely?
2. Rem tells Ashley the story about the cicadas and how they know immortality, yet not eternal youth. Which would you take, if you could: immortality or eternal youth (minus the immortality part) or neither?
3. Rem knows why Ashley left town, but he doesn’t tell anyone. Could you have kept that a secret, with all the rumors flying around the small town?
4. When Rem finds out Ashley’s connection to Owen, he’s angry that Ashley had even come to Ava knowing what she knew. Was he justified in his thoughts and actions?
5. Should Ashley have mentioned to Rem her connection to Owen sooner?
6. Rem sights his loyalty to his brother for not continuing to see Ashley? Is this reasonable?
7. Ashley abruptly leaves town after Rem says that he no longer loves her. Is she justified in doing this? Would you have wanted to get out of town after what had happened?
8. Rem sees Ashley’s words--there are just some things in this world you don’t take for granted. And that’s one of them—as a sign from his brother. Do you think he needed something like this to feel okay about seeing Ashley again? And why do you think that is?​
9. In the epilogue, Ashley says that it’s not one moment that shapes an entire life, but a series of moments—one on top of the other. How do you interpret this statement?