Davey Wexler has never felt so alone. Her father has just been killed—shot in a holdup at the 7-Eleven near their home. And now her mother has transplanted her and her little brother, Jason, to Los Alamos, New Mexico, to stay with family and recover.

But Davey is withdrawn, full of rage and fear and loneliness. Then one day, while exploring a canyon, she meets an older boy who calls himself Wolf. Wolf is the only one who understands her—the only one who can read her sad eyes. And he is the one who helps her realize that she must find a way to move forward with her life.

Davey is one of Judy Blume’s most hauntingly true human beings, capturing the deep ways a person can change that can’t be seen—only felt. Her story has been felt, deeply, by readers for decades.

Reading Group Guide

Discussion Guide for

Tiger Eyes

By Judy Blume

1. Take note of the characters introduced in the opening chapter. At what point does the reader learn about Davey’s relationship with Hugh? Why doesn’t she speak to Hugh at her father’s graveside? She states, “I’ve never felt so alone in my life.” (Chapter one) Cite other times in the book when Davey feels lonely.

2. Davey passes out at school. Discuss the questions the nurse asks her. Debate whether most teenagers would be honest with a nurse who probes in this way. It doesn’t appear that the nurse knows about Adam Wexler’s murder. Why doesn’t Davey relay her grief to school personnel?

3. Bitsy, Adam Wexler’s sister, and her husband, Walter, travel from Los Alamos to Atlantic City for Adam’s funeral. What is Bitsy’s assessment of Adam? Explain what she means, “‘Adam always was a dreamer.’” (Chapter four) Why is her view of her brother not helpful at this time? When does Gwen, Davey’s mom, acknowledge that Adam was a dreamer?

4. Bitsy and Walter want the Wexlers to come to New Mexico. At first Gwen turns them down. What causes her to change her mind? Why don’t any of the adults discuss the real reason for the trip? How do Bitsy and Walter treat the visit like a holiday? At what point is it obvious that the vacation has turned into a more permanent stay?

5. Compare and contrast Davey and Jason’s relationship with Bitsy and Walter. Explain Davey’s growing hostility toward Walter. Why does he slap her? Cite scenes from the novel that reveal their lack of parenting skills. Explain why Gwen allows Bitsy to take away her role as mother?

6. Discuss Davey’s first encounter with Wolf. Why does she tell him to call her Tiger? Think about the qualities of a tiger and a wolf and discuss whether these are appropriate names for Davey and Martin. At what point does she learn his real name? Explain why she continues to call him Wolf.

7. What is Davey’s impression of Los Alamos? Describe the social groups at the high school. Why does Davey think that she could never fit in? Discuss why she thinks that people like her should be called “Left-overs.” To which group does Jane belong? Contrast Davey’s friendship with Jane to her friendship with Lenaya, her best friend in Atlantic City.

8. Davey says, “I get this feeling that my mother and I have changed places and I don’t like it.” (Chapter seventeen) How does Davey miss her mother? Discuss Davey’s reaction when her mother starts dating Ned. At what point does Mom decide to take her family back to Atlantic City? How does Bitsy respond when she hears the news?

9. Think about Davey’s relationship with the following characters: Hugh, Lenaya, Jane, Reuben, and Wolf. How does each person help Davey on her journey toward healing? Describe her last trip to the canyon. Debate whether this marks a turning point in Davey’s grieving process.

10. Symbolism is the use of items, places, or events to represent an idea. Discuss the meaning of the following symbols: brown paper bag, bread knife, gun rack, trunk at the foot of Davey’s bed, tiger eye, dancing bear, and Bathtub Row.

11. Since its publication in 1981, Tiger Eyes has faced vigorous debate among adults who oppose the topic of teenage depression. Why do you think they are disturbed by this topic? Gwen Wexler suggests that Davey see a counselor. Explain what the counselor means by the statement, “‘Maybe you have to bring it all back in order to be done with it.’” (Chapter thirty-five). How does Davey take her advice? Explain how the Wexlers’ return to Atlantic City symbolizes hope.

12. Underage drinking in the book is another reason why it has been banned in some school libraries. Jane is the character in the novel with a drinking problem. How does Davey recognize Jane’s problem? In what ways does she try to help her? How is it clear at the end of the novel that Jane recognizes her problem? Discuss ways to defend the novel to those who oppose its content.

Guide written by Pat Scales, a retired middle and high school librarian who is currently a children’s and young adult literature consultant and specializes in curriculum and free speech issues.

This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

About The Author

Judy Blume

Judy Blume, one of America’s most popular authors, is the recipient of the 2004 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of beloved books for young people, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (which celebrated fifty years in 2020), and novels for adult readers, including Wifey, Summer Sisters, and In the Unlikely Event. Her work has been translated into thirty-two languages. Visit Judy at JudyBlume.com or follow her on Twitter at @JudyBlume.