Junk is a realistic young adult novel written by British author Melvin Burgess in 1996. This powerful and unflinching novel reveals a story of love, addiction and all the dark things school doesn’t tell you about.

How would you describe the relationship Gemma and Tar shared? Considering their beliefs and desires, how are they inherently different from each other? What sort of influence did Tar and Lily have on Gemma respectively, and how did this influence lead to the subsequent events? To what extent do you think problematic family relationships are to be held responsible for the state the teenagers were in? 

How did the teenagers, especially Tar, change in terms of personality as the story progressed? Do you blame the drugs, the rough living conditions or something else? 

Heroin was described to be like a mother, a best friend and then a soldier. What is the significance of the teenagers’ realisation that they were no longer in control of whether or not they wanted drugs? What impact did this fear have on them, and how did the different characters take it differently?

How do you think the existence of her baby impacted Gemma? Why do you think Tar had a much harder time staying off drugs than Gemma? With life closing in and Tar imposing violence on her, will she be able to stay clean? Why do you think so?