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1. Do the photographs selected for the book, Little Princes, help you empathize with the people identified in the text? Do the photographs reveal anything not revealed in Grennan’s writing? The images of his trip are bound into the center of the book. Do you believe that the placement of these images is effective in conveying a message?
2. Throughout the book, Conor Grennan presents himself as a thoroughly average person. Do you think this is accurate?
3. What skills & attitudes does Conor Grennan possess that helped him to be successful in Nepal?
4. How important do you think Conor Grennan’s support system (family, friends, fellow U. of Virginia alumni, etc.) were to his success in Nepal?
5. Who do you believe is the audience for Conor Grennan’s book? Why? Does the tone of Grennan’s writing change at any points in the text?
6. Do you support Conor Grennan’s artistic decision to write an autobiography about his experiences in Nepal as opposed to a “straight” non-fiction book about the issues he encountered in Nepal?
7. What are the risks when someone writes about their own experiences? What are the benefits of using this genre?
8. Do you support Conor Grennan’s decision to ultimately leave Nepal and continue his work from the United States?
9. If Conor Grennan had not visited the Little Princes orphanage in Nepal, how do you think his life would be different?
10. How might Connor Grennan’s attitude prior to his experience in Nepal have set him up for success or failure? Did he have to change in order to be successful?
11. Connor Grennan talks about adapting to the different culture and traditions of Nepal. How might your own experiences prepare you for adapting to new situations?
12. Grennan explains: “it is Nepalese custom to call men ‘brother’ and women ‘sister.’” How might using this form of identification change the way people interact with one another? Do you have any non-relatives that you consider and refer to as family? Would you greet a stranger as “brother” or “sister?”
13. What skills are necessary for someone to begin the kind of work that Connor Grennan begins in the book? Does someone need to possess these skills in order to volunteer to help others?
14. Are the lessons Grennan learned applicable to your local community? Would you consider getting involved with a children’s organization in Muncie? How might you get involved?
15. How would the major or minor you are considering relate to the themes in the text?
Questions for Discussion from Author’s Website
http://conorgrennan.com/little-princes/reading-guide/
1. In your opinion, what was it about these children that touched Conor so deeply? Were you moved by their plight? What about the increasing number of children growing up in poverty in America? Do you see these children in the same way, or do you see their situations differently?
2. How did Golkka, the man who trafficked many of these children, get away with his nefarious practices for so long? Human trafficking has become a worldwide problem, affecting millions. Why has it flourished and what steps might help stop it? How might you play a role? Would you consider doing so? Why or why not?
3. Do you empathize with the parents of the Little Princes children and others? Do you understand why they gave their children up? What might you do given similar circumstances?
4. What lessons did you take away from reading Little Princes?
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