1. ODD CHILD OUT paints a picture of the horrors refugees face in their native countries and the challenges they encounter when entering a new community. Has reading this book given you a new perspective on the struggles of refugees? 

2. Even though Noah and Abdi came from entirely different worlds, they eveloped an extremely deep and trusting friendship. What do you think each boy needed from the other that made them so close?

3. Abdi was raised in the UK, yet his Somali heritage plays a strong role in how others perceive him and his actions. Discuss the roles of race, prejudice and privilege during the investigation.

4. The Mahads and the Sadlers each try to protect their son in their own ways. Do you feel their actions were justified? When, if ever, do you think you should cease protecting someone you love?

5. Noah wanted to explore and experience the world before his sickness took him. If you were ill, what would your bucket list be?

6. Edward Sadler knows he isn’t a perfect person. Did your feelings about him change as the novel progressed?

7. Detective Inspector Jim Clemo is tackling his own personal demons when he is brought onto the Noah Sadler case. How do you think Clemo’s personal and professional lives affected each other?

8. Maryam, Nur and Sofia each had secrets to keep about their pasts. Do you think they  were right to bury their history as they did, or should they have been more open with Abdi? What would you have done in their situation?

9. The man with the cleft palate is a figure of mystery for most of the novel. Did you suspect who he was? Were you satisfied with his fate at the end of the novel?

10. There are several cases of the media presenting partial or skewed narratives throughout the novel, such as Edward Sadler’s exhibition and Emma Zhang’s article. Do you think the media can ever be completely nonpartisan? Do you think the media has any obligations to its subject when exposing a story?