Literature Circle Questions

1. Sparks's tail is nearly burned off in chapter 9, but there is something even strange about Aunt Hat and Colonel Hazelrigg's pet. What is unusual about their pet?

2. Irene Ridpath turns "whiter than chalk" in chapter 2 when she discovers something unexpected about Peewee. Name what she learns and three other things that surprise Irene about life outside the big city of Indianapolis.

3. List four unexpected things that occur during the ten-mile Hendricks County auto race.

4. Explain several ways the four prospective librarians represent the "bargain of the century."

5. Create a Venn diagram that shows the differences and similarities between Jake McGrath, Peewee McGrath, and Grace Stutz.

6. Eleanor believes Jake and Irene are sweet on each other, but the author gives us clues that suggest it is actually Jake and Grace who get along the best. What is the turning point in Jake's relationship with Grace?

7. Imagine that you are a reporter for the Indianapolis Star in 1914 and are writing an article on the car business. Write five interview questions to ask various people in the novel. You may direct your questions to anyone you like.

8. What might have happened is Jake's homemade auto hadn't been stolen the night before the Hendrick's County auto race?

9. Even though Eleanor is brave enough to spend a night in jail, stand up to the Kirbys, and race a car, she is gripped with fear when asked to pour punch at the library tea in chapter 7. Compare this contradiction in Eleanor's behavior with something in your own personality.

10. In Chapter 12, after Jake's car accident, Irene surprises Eleanor by saying, "Who'd want to be on the pit crew when you could be in the race?" Why do you think Irene says this?

11. Create an acrostic for one of the characters in the novel.

12. Choose one of the characters and plan a party for him or her. Your party should have a theme, a guest speaker, decorations, games, refreshments, and anything else you can think of to make it a special event. Write a short toast in honor of your chosen character.

13. How do you suppose Eleanor would have used the $50 in prize money from the auto race?

14. Despite Irene's attempts to persuade her, Eleanor does not attend Irene's alma mater, "the best girls' school in Indianapolis," but stays in her own hometown. Did Eleanor make the right decision? Justify your answer.

15. It seems that neither Irene nor Eleanor has ever encountered someone quite like the other. Who do you think learned the mot from their relationship?