logo

83 pages 2 hours read

Val Emmich

Dear Evan Hansen

Val EmmichFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

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

Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. What grade is Evan in?

2. Who apologizes to Evan for Connor’s shove?

3. Who signs Evan’s cast?

Short Answer

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

1. What is the goal of Evan’s letters to himself?

2. How would you describe Evan’s relationship with his mom?

3. Why does Connor shove Evan?

4. What do Mr. and Mrs. Murphy assume about Connor and Evan?

5. What does Connor share about the significance of Mrs. G giving him the notebook?

Paired Resource

True Colors

  • In the lyrics to this Cyndi Lauper song, the speaker sings to someone close to them about the inner beauty they hold.
  • The song, which could also be read as a poem, connects to the themes of No One Is Alone and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • How do Evan’s letters and inner narration connect to the song?

Glee video

  • This two-minute video from the television show Glee offers a version of “True Colors” sung by the high school characters.
  • The video connects to the themes of No One Is Alone, Found Family, and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • What clues in the video reveal how characters have become Found Family? How does Evan’s high school experience compare and/or contrast with the video?

Chapters 7-12

Reading Check

1. What Saturday ritual do Evan and his mom share?

2. Where does Evan tell Connor’s family the two met to talk?

3. Who helps Evan create fake emails?

4. How did Evan break his arm?

5. Who does Evan try to kiss?

Short Answer

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

1. How does Connor remember family visits to the apple orchard?

2. Why are some people at school suddenly talking to Evan?

Chapters 13-16

Reading Check

1. Who asks Evan to help keep Connor’s memory alive?

2. Which of Connor’s items does Mrs. Murphy give Evan?

3. How many followers does Alana tell Evan their page has after his speech?

4. Who kisses Evan?

Short Answer

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

1. What is the goal of the Connor Project?

2. How does Connor react to Evan’s speech at the ceremony?

Paired Resource

Modern Family

  • This Vox article examines people’s thoughts on choosing who they lean on as family.
  • The text offers connections to the themes of No One Is Alone, Found Family, and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • Where do we see Evan and other characters turning toward Found Family?

Dear Evan Hansen film clip

  • This six-minute video of Evan’s speech in the film adaptation of the story incorporates music in the scene at the Connor Project and people’s reactions after.
  • The scene from the film connects to the themes of No One Is Alone, Found Family, and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • How does the medium of film help develop the big ideas of this scene? How do music and visuals work together to build the messages?

Chapters 17-23

Reading Check

1. What is the Connor Project’s first initiative?

2. Who is the friend Connor contacted the day he died?

3. Who is Zoe’s open mic song about?

4. What large gift do the Murphys try to give Evan?

Short Answer

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

1. What happens when Evan posts a selfie?

2. How do Evan and Alana disagree about the emails between Connor and Evan?

Paired Resource

CNN interview with kindness expert

  • This interview with Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor at Stanford University, examines the benefits we get from helping others.
  • The content connects to themes of No One Is Alone and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • Where do we see characters experience positive effects from helping on The Connor Project?

Chapter 24-Epilogue

Reading Check

1. When Connor texted Miguel about how hard it was to be back at school, how did Miguel respond?

2. What is the new name for the orchard?

Short Answer

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

1. When Alana shares online the letter Evan wrote but Connor took, what happens?

2. What prompts Evan to finally reveal the truth to the Murphys?

3. How did Evan really break his arm?

4. After Evan tells the Murphys the truth, how do they react?

5. What does Evan hope for the orchard?

Recommended Next Reads 

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

  • Fifteen-year-old Julia faces her sister’s death, experiences mental health struggles, and navigates her roles in her Mexican American family as she finishes high school in Chicago and looks to her future.
  • Shared themes include No One Is Alone and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • Shared topics include growing up, mental health, family, death, and finding your voice.
  • I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter on SuperSummary

Looking for Alaska by John Green

  • When Miles begins attending a boarding school, he meets new friends, including Alaska, who forever changes his life. Together, he and his friends laugh, grow, and face tragedy.
  • Shared themes include No One Is Alone, Found Family, and Being Your Authentic Self.
  • Shared topics include growing up, mental health, friendship, death, and healing.
  • Looking for Alaska on SuperSummary

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 83 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,800+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools