Now Is Not the Time to Panic

Frankie wavers between blaming herself for the damage that results from the poster and insisting she and Zeke should continue to display it. What degree of responsibility does an artist hold for the art’s reception? Consider the role of the artist’s intent in making the art versus how the art is interpreted.

Although Mr. Avery promises Frankie to keep the secret of the poster, he ultimately tells his artist friend. To what degree is he justified in revealing the secret? Further, would it have been better for Frankie had her authorship remained a secret forever? What harms and benefits result from Frankie having to confront her authorship decades later?

In an interview with National Public Radio, author Kevin Wilson reveals that parts of the novel are semi-autobiographical. In what way does knowing this impact your reading of the novel? To what degree is it appropriate or justifiable to blur the lines between fiction and nonfiction?