The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of death by suicide, illness or death, religious discrimination, and mental illness.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did your expectations of the story shift when you learned that it would be about a 100-year-old man and a 10-year-old boy? How does this incongruous pairing compare to other intergenerational friendships in literature, such as the ones portrayed in Siple's sequel, The Final Wish of Mr. Murray McBride?

2. What was your initial reaction to Murray's plan to stop taking his medication? How did your feelings about his decision evolve throughout the story?

3. Which of the five wishes on Jason's list resonated with you most strongly, and why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Murray struggles to accept changes in language and social norms between generations. What experiences have you had with the challenge of bridging generational gaps in your own life?

2. The motto "SBK" (Strong, Brave, Kind) becomes a powerful mantra throughout the story. What three words would you choose as your own life motto, and why?

3. Murray regrets not expressing his love for his sons more openly.