1. Killing Mr. Griffin
Introduction Notes

2. Background Information
Published in 1978
Author: Lois Duncan
Suspense novel
The book won several awards and honors in the 1980s.
Novel was adapted into a 1997 television film by the same name.

3. Lois Duncan
American writer of children’s books and young-adult novels.
Most of her novels are suspenseful.
Killing Mr. Griffin
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Hotel for Dogs

4. Killing Mr. Griffin: PLOT
Mark Kinney, Jeff Garrett, Sue McConnell, Dave Ruggles, and Betsy Cline attempt to kidnap their English teacher, Mr. Griffin. However, after kidnapping him, the kids find themselves in a situation that they did not plan or perceive. The novel is about how each of these different kids handle the situation at hand and the actions they take to insure that they do not get caught.

5. Killing Mr. Griffin: SETTING
The story takes place during the late 1970s-early 1980s.
Location: Southwest, United States.
The story does not give a specific town or city. However, the town or city in the story seems to be surrounded by mountains and strong winds.

6. Killing Mr. Griffin: Characters
Mr. Griffin: English teacher in an unnamed public high school. Mr. Griffin is strict and tough on his students. Many students do not like him because he never gives out an “A” to any student and he is a strict disciplinarian.
Sue McConnell: A junior in high school. Sue is a honors student and gets disappointed when she receives a “B” in Mr. Griffin’s English class. Sue desperately wants to fit-in and has a crush on Dave Ruggles.
Dave Ruggles: President of the senior class. Dave is one of the most popular guys in school. Sue has a crush on Dave, but Dave doesn’t seem to notice her.
Mark Kinney: Mark is in Mr. Griffin’s junior English class because he flunked the year before. Mark has a deep-seated hatred for Mr. Griffin. Mark is laid back, cool, and collected. He pays attention to minor details and has a troubled past.
Jeff Garrett: Star basketball player. Gets angry with Mr. Griffin for not accepting his late paper.
Betsy Cline: Head cheerleader. Is in a relationship with Jeff Garrett.

7. Killing Mr. Griffin: Themes
Positive vs. Negative Peer Pressure
Guilt
True identity – What happens when one is truly himself or herself? Why does one wear a “mask” in front of others?
Acceptance

8. Killing Mr. Griffin: Literary Terms / Devices
Simile: Comparison using like or as
Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object that is not applicable.

9. Killing Mr. Griffin: Literary Terms / Devices cont.
Internal conflict: A psychological or mental struggle in the mind of a literary character.
External conflict: A struggle between a literary character and an outside for, such as nature or another character.

10. Killing Mr. Griffin: Other Literary Terms / Devices
Situational Irony
Foreshadowing
Theme
Symbolism
Flashback