Every Day

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. In Chapter 1, Rhiannon shares with A a special memory about herself and her mother. What activity did Rhiannon and her mother do in this memory?

2. A recalls the time when they accidentally broke their host’s leg while skiing. What was even worse than the physical pain from this incident?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. A observes that, no matter who he is, most mornings share the same routine. What is that routine?

Paired Resource

“David Levithan on Every Day”

• In this video by Text Publishing, David Levithan, the author of Every Day, distills the main questions of the novel, including “Can you actually love somebody if they’re literally changing every day?”
• He also reads an excerpt from Chapter 1 of the book.
• What does the author mean when the author asks if you can “actually love someone who is literally changing every day”? Why would frequent changes in oneself hinder a person’s chances of or ability to find love?

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. In Chapter 5, A inhabits someone they refer to as “the body.” What ails this person?

2. A switches bodies at the same time every night. At what time does the switch occur?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. For the first time in A’s life, what does A decide to do with Amy Tran?

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. After A departs Nathan Daldry’s body, what does Nathan think happened to him?

2. In the body of Megan Powell, A asks Rhiannon to meet with them, so they can explain why they pretended to be Steve’s cousin. Where do they meet?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. When A finds themself in the body of a Christian person (Roger Wilson), they reflect upon the nature of religion. What are A’s general feelings about religion?

Paired Resource

“History of Ideas – Religion”

• In this video, The School of Life paints a sweeping portrait of the origins of all world religions, in a chronologically organized 11-minute video.
• How does The School of Life’s explanation of religion complement A’s beliefs about religion?

Chapters 10-12

Reading Check

1. In Chapter 10, what are the names of James’ two brothers?

2. When A inhabits the body of Kelsea, they quickly discover that Kelsea suffers from what ailment?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. A learns that Nathan’s story about being “possessed” was publicized in several evangelical Christian websites. In that moment, why does A begin to feel pity for Nathan?

Chapters 13-15

Reading Check

1. In the body of Hugo, where does A attend a Gay Pride parade?

2. Nathan’s story gets press in what satirical magazine?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What happens at dinner with Justin, and Rhiannon when A inhabits the body of Ashley Aston?

Chapters 16-18

Reading Check

1. In Chapter 16, Rhiannon tells A she wants to communicate solely through what medium going forward?

2. As Chevelle, how does A get out of going to school so they can wallow in their sadness over Rhiannon?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. A inhabits the body of Valeria in Chapter 18, who is an underage, undocumented maid. How is Valeria different from some of the other bodies that A inhabits in light of her socioeconomic status?

Chapters 19-21

Reading Check

1. In the body of Sallie Swan, what event does A have to attend that prevents A from being able to meet up with Rhiannon?

2. In the body of Daniel Stevens, what city does A visit with their family?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. A still feels the sting of Rhiannon distancing herself from them in Chapter 21, as A inhabits the body of Orlando. What petty thing does A consider doing to Nathan, and why does A decide against it?

Chapters 22-24

Reading Check

1. What is Dylan Cooper’s special skill?

2. What is Vanessa Martinez’s main personality trait?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. When A inhabits the body of Rhiannon, what does A do to respect her privacy?

Chapters 25-27

Reading Check

1. When A inhabits the body of George in Chapter 25, what aspect of George’s life makes it more difficult for A to see Rhiannon?

2. How old is Surita, the person A inhabits who has minimal supervision from her family in Chapter 26?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. When Rhiannon initiates physical intimacy while A is in the body of Xavier Adams, why does A feel like a pretender?

Chapters 28-30

Reading Check

1. When A wakes up in Dana’s body in Chapter 28, what prevents A from accessing Dana’s memories?

2. Why does A feel a kinship with Vic in Chapter 30?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Where is Michael’s family travelling to for his sister’s wedding, and why does this terrify A, who is inhabiting Michael’s body? What does he decide to do?

Paired Resource

 “David Levithan on Gender, Identity in Every Day Film Adaptation”

• This section of the book deeply explores A’s relationship to gender.
• As discussed in this interview with The Daily Californian, author David Levithan discusses the book’s reception from genderqueer and gender-fluid individuals.
• Considering the book’s portrayal of a trans person in this section, what is the author trying to say about how A’s experience might mirror that of a genderfluid individual?

Chapters 31-33

Reading Check

1. What about Finn makes A not want to see Rhiannon while A is inhabiting Finn’s body?

2. When Rhiannon tells A that she does not think a romantic relationship will work between them, where are they?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. A (as Marc) attends a funeral for Marc’s grandfather. What does the funeral make him realize?

Chapters 34-36

Reading Check

1. When A (as Kasey) decides to meet Nathan in-person, where do they decide to have their rendezvous?

2. After their meeting in Chapter 35, how does A, while in the body of Darryl Drake, learn more about Reverend Pool?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. In Chapter 35, what is at least one important fact that Reverend Poole reveals to A about the nature of his power?

Chapters 37-39

Reading Check

1. A inhabits the body of Zara in Chapter 37. What is the name of Zara’s girlfriend?

2. As July, A is unsure if they are sick or if something else ails them. What does A suspect it might be?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. In this section of the novel (Chapters 37-39), what does A realize about the nature of human connection? In your response, consider how A feels while in the body of Zara, seeing Zara’s relationship with her girlfriend, as well as Zara’s circle of friends and her loving mother.

Chapters 40-41

Reading Check

1. What does Alexander (while inhabited by A) give to his parents for an anniversary gift?

2. Who is the final body that A inhabits in the novel, after Alexander?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Describe A and Rhiannon’s last moments together. What is the grand (and selfless) gesture that A makes to Rhiannon as a final act of love?

Paired Resource

“David Levithan Answers Five Questions”

• In this brief video by Text Publishing, author of Every Day David Levithan answers 5 (mostly biographical) questions, and in doing so talks about the book.
• David Levithan says he’s lived a mostly “settled life,” especially compared to A. What does the book seem to say about the nature of a “settled life,” particularly in the final chapters of the book?

Recommended Next Reads

Another Day by David Levithan

• This is the companion novel to Every Day; it tells the story through Rhiannon’s eyes.
• Another Day builds upon the primary themes established in Every Day, especially The Fluidity of Identity and The Pressure of Time.

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

• Published in 2013, this is David Levithan’s first YA novel published after Every Day.
• Told from the perspective of the gay men who died during the 1980’s HIV/AIDS epidemic, the book tells the story of several gay teenage boys in small-town America.
• Two Boys Kissing plays with perspective, formless, and Fluid Identity, as well as non-heteronormative definitions of love.
• Two Boys Kissing on SuperSummary.com

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green

• Published in 2010, this is a YA novel about two characters named “Will Grayson,” with David Levithan writing even-numbered chapters and John Green writing the odd-numbered ones.  
• Will Grayson, Will Grayson also plays with form and perspective and adds to the exploration of the nature and the Fluidity of Identity found in David Levithan’s body of work.
• Will Grayson, Will Grayson on SuperSummary.com