Lessons

How did the lessons in diplomacy, conversation, and courtesy help Miri and the other academy members?

Asland

How did Miri's visit to Asland change the way she thought of her Mount Eskel home?

The better match

Who seemed like a better match for Kiri: Prince Steffan or Peder? In what ways?

Olana

The girls disliked and feared her, but was there anything about Olana that made her a good choice to be their tutor?

Quarry-speak

What did you think of "quarry speaking"?

Making friends

What qualities does Miri have that helped her to make friendships with the other girls, even the more difficult ones like Katar?

To be a princess... or not

As you read the book, were there times you wished for Miri to be chosen as princess? And times when you hoped she would not be chosen?

May 2009: These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner

The title

I've been vocal on how much I hate the title of this book and how I put off reading it for years because of it. I only read it because it was a book club selection and ended up loving it. How did you feel about the title?

Hard Life

Do you think you could handle living this life that they had on the Arizona territory?

Characters

Who was your favorite?

The Duchess of Warwick

What is the significance of Sarah's inerest in "The Duchess of Warwick and Her Sorrow by the Sea"?

Marrying Jimmy

How did you feel when Sarah married Jimmy?

Jack and Sarah

What makes Jack and Sarah such a perfect match?

Do you like Sarah?

Does Sarah fit your traditional definition of a "heroine"? What characteristics about her do you like or dislike?

Sarah

Sarah might consider herself an unlikely heroine, simply doing what she could to survive. how does she compare with modern women in determination and courage?

Jack

Jack Elliot is an elusive lover. Why does this make him more desirable, since his role is not forbidden love but unwanted?

life in Arizona territory

Given the terrible hardship of life in Arizona Territory during the 1880's and 1890's, the desperate need to survive drove Sarah to do things that today might seem ruthless. Yet, she remained a caring and loving person. How do you think you would have fared?

Jack's past

Consider Jack and Sarah's relationship. How does the single event known about his childhood color everything in their lives?

Education

Although she remains "quaintly unsophisticated" throughout her life, Sarah's thirst for education fuels much of the plot. How does her education change her and those around her?

Jimmy

Why did Sarah marry Jimmy? If he had lived, could they have forged a better relationship from the remains of their marriage?

Time

What is the significance of Jack and Sarah exchanging time pieces for their wedding gifts to each other?

Savannah

Sarah obviously feels awe for Savannah. How does Savannah share the same respect for Sarah?

Religion

There are many references to religion and evidence that religious teaching, though very informal, influenced each person in the book. Sarah seems to have a practical approach to theology while Savannah remains deeply spiritual. How does this balance maintain each of them?

April 2009: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

Which narrative features were employed by the author to make The Secret Garden speak to children? Why do you think this novel appeals to an adult audience as well? What makes it a classic?

Mr. Craven

In your opinion, does Mr. Craven, after subjecting his son to years of neglect, deserve redemption?

Dickon

Upon Mary's first encounter with Dickon, Burnett describes the boy in this way: "His speech was so quick and easy. It sounded as if he liked her and was not the least afraid she would not like him, though he was a common moor boy, in patched clothes and with a funny face and a rough, rusty-red head. As she came closer to him she noticed that there was a clean fresh scent of heather and grass and leaves about him, almost as if he were made of them." What is significant about this passage? Are there any particular motifs that seem to be connected specifically to Dickon?

Martha

Why does Mary respond so well to Martha? What characteristics of Martha's are responsible for awakening the gentleness in Mary? compare Martha's treatment of Mary to Mary's treatment of Colin. Did it have the same effect?

Disliking oneself

Early in the novel, when the servant girl Martha asks Mary if she likes herself, Mary answers , no, she doesn't. Do you think Mary still dislikes herself by the end of the novel? Why or why not?

The Magic

Colin is convinced that something he calls "the magic" explains the wonders of the world. What do you think he means by the "magic"? Can you think of other ways to express the same idea?

Nature

Discuss the powerful influence that nature plays in the lives of the main characters. How does it heal them? How does it inspire them? Do you think modern-day people have enough hands on experience with nature? do you?

Mrs. Sowerby

Of all the adult characters in the novel only Mrs. Sowerby, the mother of Dickon and Martha, seems to know what Mary and Colin really need. Why? what experience does Mrs. Sowerby have that other grown-ups in the story lack?

Mary and colin

Within a few moments of meeting Colin, Mary realizes they have much in common. What are the negative qualities they share? What are the positive ones?

Neglect

Both Mary and her cousin Colin grew up surrounded by adults who catered to their every whim. Yet both of them could also be described as neglected. Why?

The garden

The robin leads Mary to the secret garden but what compels her to visit it again and again? Why does she feel so comfortable there so quickly? why do you think it is important for Mary , at first, to keep the garden a secret?

Mary and her childhood

Although Mary spent her early childhood in the same home as her parents, she barely knew them. Why were they virtual strangers? Why can't Mary mourn them after they die? When does Mary start understanding and caring about the feelings of others?

March 2009: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Pulitzer

Do you believe that Harper Lee deserved to win a Pulitzer Prize?

Good

In the last few lines of To Kill A Mockingbird Scout says, "he was real nice..." and Atticus replies, "most people are Scout, when you finally see them." Do you agree that most people in this novel are nice once you see them? how is Atticus able to see the good side of people despite all that he has experienced? Can you?

Killing the Mockingbird

At the end of the book, Scout says that telling people Boo Radley committed the murder would have been "sort of like shootin' a mockingbird." What does that mean? Do you agree that Boo is like a mockingbird?

Favorite character

Who is your favorite character and why?

Kinds of folks

At one point Jem describes four kinds of 'folks' in Maycomb County: "our kind of folks don't like the Cunninghams, the Cunninghams don't like the Ewells, and the Ewells hate and despise the colored folks". What does To Kill A Mockingbird teach us about how people cope with issues of race and class? Do you classify people in your world as different "folks"? Do you see those sort of distinctions today?

Changes

How does the trial and everything surrounding it change the town? Change Jem and Scout? Did it change you?

Racism

Discuss race issues in this book. Why does Calpurnia speak differently around other black people? Why does Mr. Raymond pretend he is drunk to help people cope with his mixed marriage?

Single parent

How do you think Atticus managed his role as a single parent?

Aunt Alexandra

What do you think of Aunt Alexandra? Did your opinion of her change during the book? Can you understand why she was concerned with Atticus' parenting?

Mrunas'

Do you think the missionary society was walking in the Mrunas' shoes? What do these ladies show you about life in the town? Can you walk in their shoes and understand where they are coming from?

Others Shoes

Atticus tells the children several times that they need to walk in someone else's shoes before judging the person. Describe times when Atticus, Scout, or Jem walk in someone else's shoes. How does this change how they view the situations? What rold does this advice play in sympathy and compassion?

Boo

How does Jem and Scout's views of Boo Radley change during the book? Why does Jem cry when the hole in the tree is filled with cement?