A Tale Magnolious

Chapter 1

Question to Ponder: Would you be scared of Mag? Why or why not?

Chapter 2

Question to Ponder: Mag and Nitty liked each other right off the bat. Have you ever met someone and instantly liked them? If so, who? Why?

Chapter 3

Question to Ponder: Do you like Windle Homes? Why or why not? Use specific details from the book to explain your answer.

Chapter 4

Question to Ponder: Why do you think Windle changes his mind about Mag and Nitty? Have you ever had this happen?

Chapter 5

Question to Ponder: The Gleam Jar reminds Nitty about her family and the rocker reminds Windle of Clara. Do you have something that reminds you of someone else?

Chapter 6

Question to Ponder: Do you like to be read to? Why or why not?

Chapter 7

Question to Ponder: Describe something you are good at. When did you first realize you were good at this? How often do you get to do it?

Chapter 8

Question to Ponder: Compare and contrast the characters of Nitty and Mag. How are they similar? How are they different?

Chapter 9

Question to Ponder: Miz Turngiddy keeps offering to help Neezer with his projects, but he won’t allow it. Write about an instance when you wanted to help someone, but they wouldn’t let you.

Chapter 10

Question to Ponder: Have you ever thought someone was mean but later discovered they weren’t that bad?

Chapter 11

Question to Ponder: Ferdinand says, “I never could stand up for myself. Let alone anyone else.” Think of the other characters you’ve met in the book. Who else isn’t good at standing up for themselves?

Chapter 12

Question to Ponder: Have you ever been too afraid to reach out to someone or say that you’re sorry after a disagreement? Write about it. In your opinion, why can apologizing be difficult?

Chapter 13

Question to Ponder: Twitch says that criminality smells like “rotten eggs and turnips.” In your opinion, what would goodness or love smell like?

Chapter 14

Question to Ponder: Would you rather remember or forget your saddest memories? Explain your answer.

Chapter 15

Question to Ponder: Do you ever read newspapers? How do you typically get your news about your community and the world at large? Do you think it’s a good way of getting information?

Chapter 16

Question to Ponder: Think about a time when you were feeling low. How long did your gloomy mood last? Did something happen to snap you out of it, or did it just pass?

Chapter 17

Question to Ponder: Are you a good listener? Is there someone you talk to who’s a good listener?

Chapter 18

Question to Ponder: What do you think the fruit would taste like to you? Explain your answer. What would you name the fruit? Why?

Chapter 19

Question to Ponder: Mag can smell emotions on people. Choose an emotion and describe how you think it might smell to Mag. Be sure to use descriptive words and/or comparisons.

Chapter 20

Question to Ponder: Twitch loves reading Detective Comics, and they have definitely had an influence on him. What are your favorite kinds of things to read? What do you like about them? Have they had an effect on how you think or what you do?

Chapter 21

Question to Ponder: Do you have a friend like Twitch—or maybe Bernice? How is your friend similar? How are they different?

Chapter 22

Question to Ponder: Mag tries to calm Nitty in this chapter. What helps soothe you when you are upset? How do you try to calm others?

Chapter 23

Question to Ponder: List objects you would bring with you on a secret mission. Explain the reason for each one.

Chapter 24

Question to Ponder: If you were there in the institute and saw that Twitch seemed frightfully ill, would you continue with the mission or take him back home? Explain your reasons.

Chapter 25

Question to Ponder: Which version of Fortune’s Bluff would you prefer to live in—the way it was before the dusters or the way Neezer imagines it can become? Explain your decision.

Chapter 26

Question to Ponder: Mag’s version of the event is very different from what people say happened. People often jump to conclusions when they don’t have all the facts. Write about a time when someone assumed a story about you that wasn’t true. How did they misunderstand the events? Were you able to explain your version?

Chapter 27

Question to Ponder: Describe something that happened to you that, like Twitch’s leaving, was both good and bad. Is Twitch giving up on his investigation? Explain your answer.

Chapter 28

Question to Ponder: Why do you think Miz Turngiddy hesitates when handing over the envelope? Explain your answer.

Chapter 29

Question to Ponder: If you were there in the institute and saw that Twitch seemed frightfully ill, would you continue with the mission or take him back home? Explain your reasons.

Chapter 30

Question to Ponder: Do you have friends or family who live far away? How often do you communicate with them? How do you communicate? Which of the book’s characters are you the most similar to? Explain how you are similar.

Chapter 31

Chapter 32