THREE FAMILIES. TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. A DOZEN MILES BETWEEN THEM, BUT WORLDS APART.
When an impoverished Missouri school district loses its accreditation, the nearby affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open its doors to bussed students. Soon the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fund-raiser, faced with a rattling discovery that threatens to tear apart her picture-perfect world; Jen Covington, a career nurse whose painful journey to motherhood finally results in a happily-ever-after, though not the one she anticipated; and Anaya Jones, the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand-new teacher at Crystal Ridge’s top elementary school, who is unprepared for the minefield she is stepping into. As tensions rise, Camille, Jen, and Anaya will fiercely protect their loved ones – but at what cost?
Inspired by real-world events, No One Ever Asked is a riveting tale about the way we see one another, the lies we tell ourselves, the questions and stories that go unexplored, and the tragedies that result from our blindness.
Amazon
Enjoy the First Chapter of No One Ever Asked
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- This novel opens with a quote by Claudia Rankine from her book Citizen: An American Lyric. “The world is wrong. You can’t put the past behind you. It’s buried in you; it’s turned your flesh into its own cupboard.” Do you think this quote is true? Why or why not? In what ways does the quote apply to this story? In what ways does this quote apply to our country?
- From captivity to freedom, from ignorance to awareness, from counterfeit to real. Those are just some of the journeys that happen in this novel. What other journeys did the characters go on? Which journey impacted you the most and why? Who did you relate to the most? Are the two the same?
- The title of this book is first used by Camille during the town meeting. Later, we see it again, only this time, from Anaya’s point of view. What did Anaya think and how did she feel about Camille’s complaints from the town meeting? Can you think of how the title might apply to Jen or Jubilee?
- While reading a memoir called The Grace of Silence by Michele Norris, I came across an analogy, wherein racial trauma was compared to a repeated scratch on the back of a person’s hand. Any one scratch was tolerable. It was the accumulation of scratches that caused the trauma. When I read it, I immediately thought of the term micro-aggression. A micro-aggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. What are some of the micro-aggressions Anaya experiences throughout the story? Did these “scratches” surprise you, or could you relate to them?
- What were Anaya’s father’s final words to her? How did they take on new meaning for Anaya as the story progressed? What do you think it means to be completely free? What did Anaya’s mother have to say about freedom?
- There is a scene where Anaya is remembering the death of 12-year old, Tamir Rice. What did her college roommate have to say about Tamir’s death? Why was that hurtful to Anaya? Do you agree with the observation Anaya’s grandmother made about it? What’s your reaction when another black person turns into a hash tag? Why do you think this is your reaction?
- Adoption plays a role in this story, particularly trans-racial adoption. While Jen and Jubilee’s story certainly isn’t everyone’s adoption story, the first year home is almost always a very difficult and often isolating one. What insights—if any—did Jen and Jubilee’s relationship give you into adoption?What does Jen’s brother, Brandon, represent in the story? Why do you think Jen’s mother doesn’t like to talk about Brandon? Is pointing to or talking about a problem the same as creating the problem? Why do you think racism is a topic so many would rather avoid?
- There is a scene before Christmas, where Camille is sitting in church, wondering how Neil could still bring the kids to church. She doesn’t understand how he can sit there and not feel the weight of his sin. Later, after Taylor is diagnosed with diabetes, Neil and Camille are sitting in the kitchen together in the middle of the night, and Neil mentions his faith. Camille wrestles with the same question all over again, only this time her perspective has changed. How so? What do you think about her observation?
- Kyle Davis sexually harasses his student teacher, Ellie Sorrenson. What happens to her after she comes out and publicly announces what Kyle did? What happens to Kyle? Can you think of other instances in our culture when the victim is turned into a villain?
- As I wrote this story, I was very aware of the “white savior” trope, wherein a white person “rescues” people of color. It’s prevalent in both literature and film. Can you think of examples of books or movies that utilize this trope? Why is this trope problematic? Is anyone “rescued” in No One Ever Asked?
Extra Credit: Listen to the podcast episode that inspired the novel. This American Life: The Problem We All Live With. Follow investigative reporter, Nikole Hannah-Jones on Twitter (@nhannahjones). She covers race in America, more specifically—segregation in modern day American education. Find a timeline on the history of segregation in our country’s education system. Was this a problem you were aware of before reading No One Ever Asked? Discuss Nikole’s work, as well as the podcast.
ENDORSEMENTS
“Ganshert’s smart use of flashback creates tension from the beginning. Her nuanced exploration of racial issues, generational bigotry, and sexual harassment bring to life complex characters who challenge each other and the reader to open their minds and consider the value of truth and grace.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Humble. Powerful. Awakening. No One Ever Asked unapologetically invites its reader into a journey of historical significance and soul discovery. A trek which, once taken, you won’t come back from.” – Mary Weber, author of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow
“Emotionally resonant and brimming with hope, No One Ever Asked is an intimate portrayal of a community in chaos. As Katie Ganshert employs alternating perspectives and vastly different viewpoints, she dives deep into fraught themes of race, adoption, social justice, infidelity, friendship, and more. This gripping story is written with sensitivity and grace, and it will stay with readers long after the final page is turned. A heart-changing, transformative work!” – Nicole Baart, author of Little Broken Things
“No One Ever Asked is that rare breed of story that lingers in your heart and mind long after the final page is turned. Gut wrenching and achingly authentic, this story lays bare the profound intricacies of racial tension. Katie Ganshert is a gifted wordsmith with an uncanny ability to elicit the emotions her characters are experiencing in the reader. This evocative and incisive human drama will not leave you unmoved–a cautionary tale infused with hope. With a handful of stellar novels already to her credit, Ganshert has raised the bar once again. No One Ever Asked has my highest recommendation.” – Rel Mollet, relzreviews.com
BOOK DETAILS:
Release date: April 03, 2018
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Amazon ASIN: B073R2XC82
Audio ASIN: B07CWY7DCL
ISBN-10: 1601429045
ISBN-13: 978-1601429049