1. Oddballs begins with a disclaimer: "All of the characters in this book—except for my own family—are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons is coincidental." Do the characters other than family members seem fictitious to you, or do they seem real?

2. Does Oddballs help you to better understand any of Sleator's other books?

3. Why is Sleator the only one of his parents' children not to become a scientist?

4. Does Sleator regard his youth favorably, unfavorably, or as a mixture? What were the best aspects of his growing up? What were the worst?

5. What do you admire about Sleator's family?

6. Which of the stories in Oddballs is the funniest? What makes it funny?

7. Would you like to have William Sleator as your brother? What would make him a good brother? What would make him a difficult brother?

8. Were Sleator's parents neglectful...