J.D. and the Great Barber Battle

Explore the ways in which J.D. and the Great Barber Battle both celebrates Black perspectives while also offering universal lessons and entertainment. Does J.D.’s story transcend racial and cultural barriers? Why or why not?

Analyze the reasons behind Henry Jr.’s decision to threaten J.D.’s business. Is Henry Jr.’s behavior justified? Why or why not? How might the story have gone differently if Henry Jr. offered J.D. a partnership from the beginning?

Explore J.D.’s process of developing the barber battle idea. Do confidence and arrogance help or hinder J.D.? How might J.D. have approached this issue differently if he were more confident and less arrogant?

Consider Hart and Son’s role within the town. By the end of the book, does Hart and Son have as much clout in the town as it did in the beginning? Why or why not?

Discuss the roles that J.D.’s mom and grandparents play in the story. Specifically, why are these characters important despite having such small parts? What broader messages do these characters deliver about the ethical aspects of pursuing one’s ambitions and running a business? Support your answer with at least three specific examples from the text.

How do the hairstyles and discussions about hair throughout J.D. and the Great Barber Battle contribute to a broader discussion about the importance of feeling comfortable and confident in one’s own appearance? What messages does this aspect of the novel send to young readers?

Consider the tone of J.D.’s note to Henry Jr. and analyze the terms of the barber battle. Is the barber battle a reasonable way to determine who is the better barber? Why or why not? If so, how does the competition fulfill the requirements that J.D. wants when he forms the idea? If not, where does the battle fall short, and how should the event be restructured to fix the existing flaws in the competition?

How do the various haircutting scenes and terms throughout the book contribute to J.D.’s development? What insecurities and flaws do these scenes reveal, and how does J.D. ultimately work past his own shortcomings?