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About the Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block category
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0
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16
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March 4, 2026
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At the end of her first week of classes, Chef Clarke advises Mebel to drop out because she doesn’t “have what it takes to be a chef.” (pp. 88-90). What did you think of this scene? Do you feel he was trying to be kind? What about Mebel’s response?
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11
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38
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May 22, 2026
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The novel, “All her life, Mabel Tanadi has always had a fear of – not so much death as much as situations that eventually lead to death.” What did you think of this opening? What was your opinion of her list of anxieties? Do you ever have similar worries?
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7
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28
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May 21, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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8
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54
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May 21, 2026
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Mebel discovers that cooking provides a “sense of peace” and that it calms “the usual cacophony of noises” in her mind. (p. 107). Does this ring true for you? Are there activities you engage in that clear your head in a similar manner?
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21
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108
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May 21, 2026
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When Mebel and Alain begin their affair, both are still married but living separately from their spouses. What was your opinion of Alain, and of their relationship? Did you suspect his true character before Gemma spilled the beans?
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15
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60
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May 21, 2026
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Were you surprised Agatha didn’t come forward sooner regarding what she knew of Alain’s behavior? Why do you suppose she kept his character secret?
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6
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41
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May 21, 2026
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Henk, Mebel’s son Sammy, and Sammy’s wife Hannah surprise Mebel by turning up in England to ask her to come back home. She refuses. How did you react to this scene? Of the adults present whose reaction surprised you the most?
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12
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54
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May 21, 2026
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What was your first guess as to why Gemma suddenly left school? Were you surprised she didn’t return?
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20
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118
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May 21, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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36
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252
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May 21, 2026
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Jesse Q. Sutanto is the author of 16 other novels including the Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers series and the Dial A for Aunties series. Have you read any of her other titles?
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29
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168
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May 21, 2026
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Mebel tries to integrate with other students at lunch. (p 66, 68-70). What did you think of her technique? Were you surprised at the other students’ reactions?
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7
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37
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May 20, 2026
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Which scene in the book was your favorite? Were there any passages or quotes you highlighted, and if so, which ones?
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20
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110
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May 19, 2026
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How does the author use humor to tackle the serious anxieties of aging and loneliness?
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3
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27
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May 19, 2026
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Once Mebel decides to take cooking classes, her first step is to decide on a cuisine to learn. What did you think of her choice? What’s your cooking experience, and which cuisine would you like to learn how to cook?
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2
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14
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May 16, 2026
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Why do you think Mebel is so intent on winning Henk back? What did you feel about her choice of how to go about it?
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9
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54
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May 16, 2026
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Gemma calls Mebel “Mebs” and at first Mebel is offended because she's used to “elders [being] treated with reverence.” (p. 99). Does Mebel receive the appropriate deference in class? How do you think her age helps or hurts her at the cooking school?
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7
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38
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May 16, 2026
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The misspelling of her name is a big deal to Mebel, because she feels it marks her as a non-English speaker. Is she correct in her assessment about how the English-speaking world views those who don’t speak the language?
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9
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36
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May 15, 2026
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Mebel thinks that “The more power and money [powerful men] amass, the more fragile their egos become.” (p. 262). What do you feel about this statement? Is it accurate?
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14
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71
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May 15, 2026
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Mebel ponders her relationship with Henk, feeling that she may have been overconfident in her assessment of her position. Do you feel she took their relationship for granted? Is there was anything she could have done to prevent Henk from leaving?
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4
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20
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May 10, 2026
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Had you heard the term CHIP before? What did you think of Mebel giving herself this label? Why do you think she’s proud of being a CHIP at the book’s start? Do you think she still considers herself a CHIP by the end of the book?
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8
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37
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May 9, 2026
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What strengths do you feel Mebel possesses at the start of her story? How do you think her career choice enhances these strengths? Does it help her develop new ones? Did your opinion of her change from the start of the book to its conclusion?
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1
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9
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April 23, 2026
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