These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the novel/book in verse.

Personal Response Prompt

Why do you think people clap when an airplane lands?

Teaching Suggestion: This question can help students think about the significance of the novel’s title before they begin reading the book.

• This article from Travel & Leisure offers some reasons people clap when they land.
• This article from Condé Nast Traveler offers insight into the debate over clapping when landing.

Post-Reading Analysis

How does this novel normalize LGBTQ+ representation in young adult novels through Dre and Yahaira’s relationship? Where else have you seen stories like theirs and how are those examples similar to and different from Clap When You Land in terms of treatment of LGBTQ+ characters?

Teaching Suggestion: Acevedo does not draw much attention to Yahaira’s coming out story, making passive reference to it in relation to Dre and how Mami knew that it was happening. Encourage students to think about how not drawing too much attention to LGBTQ+ characters can normalize their appearance in novels.

• We Are Teachers has a list of children’s books with LGBT characters.