Jodee Kulp's Blog

Embracing Zak Discussion Guide

Embracing Zak: Community Compassion is a Powerful Force
by Jodee Kulp

Embracing Zak explores neurodiversity and resilience through an engaging mystery set in a small Midwestern town. The novel shines a light on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), inclusion, and the importance of compassion in building strong communities.

Key Themes to Discuss:

Humanity & Empathy: Discuss how the novel fosters empathy and understanding for people whose struggles are often invisible.

Neurodiversity: What does Zak’s experience reveal about living with FASD or other forms of neurodiversity? How does this shape his journey and the community’s response?

Community & Belonging: Explore the role of community support. How does the interconnectedness of the town’s residents affect the outcome for Zak and others?

Acceptance & Inclusion: What does the story teach about embracing individual differences and diverse abilities within the community?

Strengths & Challenges: Consider both the strengths and challenges depicted in characters with neurodiversity. How are these balanced in Zak’s portrayal?

Personal Growth: How do the characters grow by embracing their unique assets and learning styles? How does this affect their contribution to society?


Discussion Questions

Zak’s Journey: What aspects of Zak’s character resonated with you? How did his struggles and triumphs shape your understanding of neurodiversity?

Society & Stigma: How does the novel challenge social stigmas around FASD and other neurological conditions? What lessons can be drawn for real-life situations?

Community Compassion: Discuss moments where compassion shifts the course of events. How does the story portray community members helping each other?

Hidden Issues: What “hidden issues” (mentioned by Kulp) did the book bring to light for you? How did your perspective change after reading?

Imagining Change: If you could advise one character, who would it be and what would you say to help them embrace compassion or inclusion?

Personal Reflection: Did the book inspire you to think differently about invisible challenges in your own community? Share a personal connection.

Broader Impact: What can your group, class, or community learn from the book that could inspire positive change locally?


Activities for High School Classroom Reading

Role Play: Pick a scene and role-play different characters. Discuss each character’s feelings and motivations for their actions.

Awareness Campaign: Brainstorm simple ways you can help raise awareness about FASD or neurodiversity (posters, school projects, social media).

Letter Writing: Write a letter to Zak or another character expressing how the book impacted you.

Jodee Kulp’s Embracing Zak is more than a novel—it’s an invitation to open our minds and hearts to the power of compassion and inclusion in every community.

Mom's Choice Gold Interview was stunning

"A pivotal moment that moved me to write Embracing Zak: Community Compassion is a Powerful Force was realizing how often people with neurodiversity, especially those affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, are made invisible or misunderstood. I saw that repeatedly as we navigated the medical field. I wanted to change that narrative. Zak, the protagonist, is an amalgamation of insights from over 100 interviews with people living with FASD, conducted through Joel’s Embraced Project. Bringing these authentic voices together allowed me to create a character and a community that reflect the true complexity, resilience, and humanity of neurodiverse individuals."

To see the whole interview, visit:
https://momschoiceawards.com/blog/int...

My Invisible World Uncovered by CNN

Morasha Winokur's new book, My Invisible World, my brother, his disability and his service dog opens up the doors of being a sibling. Written for elementary and middle schoolers - Eleven year old Morasha's book is a breath of fresh air!
For more information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its affects please visit www.betterendings.org

Morasha's My Invisible World Wins Gold Award

A big congratulations to eleven-year-old Morasha Winokur for taking the action step to write a book for siblings of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Morasha won Gold for Outstanding Young Contributor by The Mom's Choice Awards.For more information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its affects please visit www.betterendings.org

My Invisible World Uncovered by CNN

Morasha Winokur's new book, My Invisible World, my brother, his disability and his service dog opens up the doors of being a sibling. Written for elementary and middle schoolers - Eleven year old Morasha's book is a breath of fresh air!
Embedded video from CNN VideoFor more information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its affects please visit www.betterendings.org

Congratulations Jodee Kulp

2009 4 Time Award Winner of Mom's Choice Awards

For more information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its affects please visit www.betterendings.org

Winner Multicultual Fiction by Readers' View

The Whitest Wall by Jodee Kulp
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/09)

“The Whitest Wall” begins with the murder of a popular local man and the arrest of a transient. The transient obviously has some mental health issues, so we are left uncertain as to whether or not he really committed the crime. The story focuses on discovering his secrets and it also delves deeply into the lives of the people who are affected by this murder. Even if the individuals did not know the man killed, the situ

A Grand Slam of 2009 Gold for Mom's Choice Awards

Four awards seems unbelievable to me, but the emails kept coming announcing Best Fiction-Adult, Best Fiction-Young Adult, Best Non-Fiction-Adult and Best Young Author. Better Endings New Beginnings is excited to announce the following awards to build awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum dirorders (FASD).


The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) is an annual awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products a

The Whitest Wall Review from Diane Chamberlain

It was a good morning surprise on a hard day in the world of fetal alcohol parenting to wake up to a review from award winning novelist Diane Chamberlain author of Before the Storm. I truly appreciate her reading The Whitest Wall and her work in writing Before The Storm to promote public awareness on FASD.

Ms Chamberlain's Review:

With an adopted daughter who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Jodee Kulp knows firsthand the causes and consequences of this devastating and wholly preventa

THERE IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW . . . .

. . . and it's not just "Who killed Doc Johnson?", the well-liked chiropractor in Riverdale, Minnesota. We will get to that "something" later, but first the novel, "The Whitest Wall." I can say with both urgency and sincerity, this book is a "must read." Jodee Kulp has not written an ordinary "who dunnit?" She has done something extra-ordinary. With her ever-discerning pen that neglects no detail or nuance, she not only introduces her characters, she invites readers into their lives and allows t