82 pages • 2 hours read
Robert BeattyA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.
Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions
Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.
1. Suspense is an important part of any mystery. An author increases suspense through setting, mood, action, and plot twists.
2. Parent-child relationships in this novel are complex. Pa and Serafina have a parent-child relationship, for example, although they are not actual kin; the Vanderbilts serve as parent-like guardians to Braeden; Leandra never knew Serafina but shows a mother’s love immediately on recognizing her.