Atmosphere Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Sally Ride, First American Woman in Space and our BookBrowse Review of Atmosphere.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Joan dreams of becoming an astronaut in a time when very few women are given the opportunity. What internal strengths does she draw upon during the processes of applying, training, and then practicing for this career? Have you ever been in a situation where you were underestimated, or not given equal opportunities? What strengths did you draw upon?
2. Describe Joan's relationship with her sister, Barbara. What bonds them? What are their fundamental differences?
3. How would you characterize Joan's relationship with her niece, Frances? What does Joan provide for Frances that Barbara doesn't? How does this triangle of relationships change over time?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Ballantine Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.