'Handle with Care' by Jodi Picoult - Book Club Discussion Questions

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult raises controversial ethical issues through the story of parents who are suing for "wrongful birth," claiming that the doctor should have caught their daughter's medical condition before she was born so that they would have been able to terminate the pregnancy. Use these book club discussion questions on Handle with Care to navigate the issues Picoult raises.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. Finish the book before reading on.

1. If you were on the jury, would you have ruled in favor of Charlotte or Piper?

2. Do you think states should allow "wrongful birth" cases?

3. Do you think Charlotte was selfish? Did she consider the full implications the trial would have on Amelia? Willow? Sean? Piper?

4. Would Charlotte's case have seemed more (or less) valid to you if her doctor were not her best friend?

5. Do you think Sean was selfish?

6. Who do you think had a higher quality of life, Amelia or Willow?

7. Why do you think Charlotte and Sean did not cash the check the jury awarded them?

8. Do you agree with Marin's mother that "some babies just should not be born?" Who should decide?

9. Do you think Marin was better off knowing why her mother did not want her?

10. Rate Handle with Care on a scale of 1 to 5.