February 2011: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

None will leave unchanged

There is a promise at the front of the book that none that enter Fablehaven will leave unchanged. How did their experiences at Fablehaven change Seth and Kendra? What do you take from the book?

Conservation

Fablehaven existed to help protect and conserve vanishing magical species. Why would that be worthwhile? Why do you suppose Grandpa Sorenson even wanted to protect the dangerous creatures?

Attributes

Several of the creatures of Fablehaven personified specific attributes. What did the fairies seem to personify? The satyrs? The cliff troll? What are the strengths and weaknesses of those characteristics?

Lena

Lena spent part of her life as a naiad, in an unchanging state. What aspects of mortality did she like? What did she dislike? How do you think she felt about being returned to the water? Was it fair for the fairies to do that?

Risks

Circumstances arose where many of the characters in Fablehaven had to risk their lives. Do you think you would risk your life for anything? If so, what?

Courage

It can be a challenge to find the courage to do what we fear the most. What enabled Kendra to do something that terrified her? What circumstances do you find most intimidating? How do you find the strength to make it through difficult situations?

Decisions

Many of the problems in Fablehaven arose as a result of decisions the characters made, often without bad intentions. Sometimes, what we don't know can hurt us. How was that true for Kendra and Seth? Are there similar examples in the world around you?

Consequences

Consequences serve an essential role for maintaining order and justice and harmony. How do laws help to keep order in Fablehaven? How were Kendra and Seth affected by the consequences of their decisions? How have the consequences of past decisions helped or hindered you?

Rules

Kendra was generally a rule keeper, Seth a rule breaker. How did their attitudes evolve over the course of the book?  What are the advantages to both attitudes? Disadvantages?

Obedience

There can be great protection from exact obedience. How was this principle reinforced for Seth? For Kendra? How does this principle of obedience function in your life?