Ask each student to try to read the book. Realize that some students, especially those with difficult home lives, may find it difficult to sit down and read a book after school, so be patient. If a specific student expresses difficulty reading the story, try to figure out exactly what the problem is and help him find a solution. For example, maybe a student's brother practices tuba all afternoon and your student can't concentrate. You can suggest that he read in the back yard or at the library.
Give your students a brief quiz on major issues in the book. To encourage your students to actually read, give them a casual, 5 to 10 question quiz on things that happen. For example, you could ask "What nickname do Wiley and Jeff give Mr. Hughes?" or "What part of the story did you like best?" Give a quiz after each chapter.
Hold a classroom discussion about the book. Ask your students questions that help them think about the events that happen in the story and how they relate to real life. For example, you can ask "Has anyone ever given you a nickname that you loved? What about a nickname that you hated? How did you handle the situation?" Try to get your students to really think about ways to solve the problems presented in the book. For example, you could ask, "Have you ever gotten in a big fight with a friend? How did you handle it? What do you think Wiley and Jeff should have done to solve their problems?"
Answer questions your students may have about the story. Maybe someone missed a major point in the plot or a student didn't understand a specific issue. Allow your students to ask you any questions.