Questions for Discussion:

1. If you were young in the Sixties, how does this story compare to what you remember? If you didn't participate in the movements of that decade, what did you learn about them from this book? Do you wish you'd taken part in them?

2. Which character do you most identify with, and why?

3. How have sexual relationships changed from the Sixties to now?

4. Which ideas and changes that sprang from the Sixties seem beneficial, and which seem destructive?

5. Are young people in a better position today than they were in 1964? How? Do they seem happier?

6. Activists worked hard to win the right to vote for 18 year olds. Their reasoning was, "If they're old enough to fight for their country, they should be able to vote." Yet today, a small percentage of young people vote. A very small percentage believe they can bring about change. Why do you think that is?

7. The events in the book took place before the technological revolution. There were no personal computers, fax machines, copiers, cell phones, or Internet. Students typed their papers using carbon paper. Making a long distance call was prohibitively expensive. People communicated by writing letters. Is civilization better for these technical advancements? Could you imagine living without them?

8. What's the meaning of the title, "Loose Change?"

9. How does music figure in the narrative?

10. The author shifts her style and voice when writing about the three different women. What characterizes the writing about Sara, Susie and Tasha?

11. Does knowing that the characters are real women affect the way you read the story?

12.How would you feel if you met one of these women today? What questions would you want to ask?