Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald

1. Did you know anything about the Scopes "Monkey" Trial before reading this book? If so, did your reading experience change your thinking?
2. Do you think Lisa Grunwald shows both sides of the evolution debate with dignity and compassion? Did your perspective on either side change?
3. What parallels can you draw between the divisions in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925 and the divisions in the United States today?
4. The teaching of evolution is no longer banned in public schools, but in many states the Biblical version of man's origins—sometimes called Intelligent Design; sometimes Bible Science; sometimes Creationism—is taught alongside it in science class. When people say this is unconstitutional, what part of the Constitution do they mean?
5. What do you think was the biggest factor in Annabel's own "evolution"? What were some of the smaller contributing factors?
6. What does Annabel have in common with Mercy? With Lottie? Do Mercy and Lottie share any traits?
7. "I think I was waiting for something to change around me before anything could change inside," Annabel says. Have you ever experienced this sensation?
8. What do you think causes the final rift between George and Annabel? Do you think responsibility is shared?
9. When Darrow points out some of the contradictions in the Bible, like in the first two chapters of Genesis, Annabel feels "both amazed and ashamed." "Even though I had read it a hundred times and knew most of it by heart, I don't think I had ever noticed the contradiction." Have you ever had a moment when you feel that the closer you are to something or someone, the harder it is to see clearly?
10. "In a way, I realized, that was the crux of it. It was the fear of another kind of evolution, not species to species but generation to generation," Annabel says. Why do you think people fear this type of evolution? What do you think they are trying to protect?
11. What do you think happens to Annabel, and any of the other characters, after the novel ends?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Random House. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.