Murder on the Orient Express

Discuss the individual interviews Poirot conducts with the passengers. Does his approach differ according to the class, gender, background, or profession of the interviewees? As you accumulate information about circumstances involving the crime and learn more about the identities of the passengers, which characters emerge as the most likely suspects?

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

When Bruno dresses in the filthy striped pajamas, he remember something his grandmother once said," You wear the right outfit and you feel like the person you're pretending to be." (page 205) How is this true for Bruno? What about his father? What does this statement contribute to the overall meaning of the story?

Shadow of a Bull

In the book it says the following about Manolo's father," your father was a noble man. A man of honor. A man of pride. He would never do anything he did not really want to do." Explain why this quote is important to the ending of the book.

Chains

What does Isabel mean when she says," I was chained between two nations"? There are several references to chains throughout the novel. How is the word "chain" used as an antonym to the word "freedom"?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

"I'm fourteen years olds and I've been to 42 funerals," Junior says, "That's really the biggest difference between Indians and white people." in the community of Wellpinit, everyone is related, everyone is valued, everyone lives a hard life, everyone is at risk for early death, and the loss of one person is a loss for the community. Compare Wellpinit to Reardan, whose residents have access to social services, health care, and wealth and people are socially distracted from one another. How does Junior use this blunt, matter-of-fact statement to describe this vast gulf between an impoverished Indian community and a middle-class white town a few miles away?

Murder on the Orient Express

How does the unusual setting of the story shape the structure of Poirot's investigation? What advantages does it give him? What challenges does it present? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Shadow of a Bull

Juan Garcia and Manolo have a very different relationship, describe it using examples from the text. Why does Manolo help him?

Chains

The American Revolution was about freedom and liberty. Isabel has lived her entire life in bondage, but dreams of freedom. What does freedom look like in Isabel's mind?

Boy in the Striped Pajamas

What is it about out-with that makes Bruno feel "very cold and unsafe?" (page 20) How is this feeling perpetuated as he encounters people like Pavel, Maria and Lieutenant Kotler?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

When Junior is in Reardan, he is "half Indian," and when he is in Wellpinit, he is "half white." "It was like being Indian was my job," he says, " but it was only a part time job. And it didn't pay well at all." Explain what Junior meant by these statements.

Murder on the Orient Express

Hercule Poirot is one of the most famous literary characters. What do you think of him? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Shadow of a Bull

Some people do not think bullfighting is a good sport because of the suffering of animals. What do you think of the sport?

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Discuss the relationship between Bruno and Gretel. Why does Bruno seem younger than nine?

The Absolutely True Diary....

Why does Junior transfers to Reardan?

Chains

Mr. Robert collects Isabel and Ruth on the day of Miss Mary's funeral. Why aren't the girls allowed to take personal items with them? Explain the symbolism of the seeds that Isabel hides in her pockets.