READERS GUIDE
Reader’s GuideJackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland
Discussion Questions:
1. Which sibling in the Jacobson family do you relate to the most and why?
2. Did any of the Jacobsons remind you of someone in your own family?
3. Which sibling do you think had the best attitude toward winning the lottery?
4. How did this novel make you think about the role money management plays in marriage and or romantic relationships? Where did you
notice money playing an important part in the relationships of these characters?
5. What did you think about Matthew’s choice not to buy a lottery ticket? Did you think his siblings should have cut Matthew in right away?
Why or why not?
6. Have you ever bought a lottery ticket? How would you use the money if you won?
7. How did Leo change throughout the book? What did you think of his parenting choices?
8. Do you think children are always “kids” when it comes to their parents? If so, is that a good or a bad thing?
9. Sophie thought having more time to work on her art would be beneficial, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. Did that surprise
you?
10. Sophie’s art show turns into an epic disaster, thanks to cancel culture and online hate. Did you anticipate the negative reaction to her show? What do you think about cancel culture generally?
11. Matthew is afraid to tell Beth how much he hates his job. Could you understand his reasons? How would things have played out differently if he had been honest with his wife and family?
12. What did you think of Laura and Doug’s marriage? Do you think she forgave him too easily?
13. Matthew felt caught between his siblings and his wife. Did you sympathize with him? How do you think he handled it?
14. After reading Jackpot Summer, how do you think you might change if you suddenly had a financial windfall?
15. LBI is so special to the entire Jacobson family. Does your family have a place—maybe a house or a vacation spot—that is particularly special to you?
16. Beth and Matthew and Doug and Laura have very different parenting styles. Do you think family members are inherently judgmental of the way their relatives raise their children?
17. How do you imagine the story would have played out differently if Sylvia Jacobson was still alive?
18. Do you think the Jacobson siblings are going to be closer or less close in five years?
19. What six numbers would you pick for the Powerball?
