Discussion Questions
Chapter One: The Rook
What do you think might be Lily's idea of freedom, or adventure?
When the rook first speaks to Lily, why did he say "oh bother"?
Why did Lily want to keep the rook from going back into the forest?
What did the rook mean by, "There is no going back for you, child."?
Chapter Two: The Forest
The book says that the forest was a comfort to Lily because of its mystery. What could that mean?
Describe Lily's relationship with her father, based on what you know so far.
Chapter Three: The Spade
Why was Titus so anxious to get back to the Rookery?
What does Titus say about the path, and why do you think he believes that a path is a "sacred thing"?
Why did Titus seem so surprised to see the spade?
Lily clearly did not like Titus' story about the rooks' entry into the forest. What do you think she expected instead?
Chapter Four: The Rookery
In your opinion, what is the most interesting thing about the structure or inhabitants of the Rookery?
Why did Romulus attack Lily when she arrived at the Rookery?
What did Lily mean when she said, "I fear I have been naughty on far too many occasions to be entirely good"?
Why do you think Romulus was afraid to attack Lily when she was with Arthur?
Chapter Five: The Path
What did Arthur mean by, "My time for leaving has not yet come"?
Why do you think the fact that Lily saved Titus from the hawk was so important to Arthur?
Why have the rooks forgotten about their glorious past, and how will that affect them in the future?
Chapter Six: Midnight
Why did Titus have trouble sleeping?
What was Titus' first opinion of Lily, and why did he hold that opinion?
Chapter Seven: Strathclyde
Think of as many reasons as you can for why Nan was so upset with Lily for being out so late.
What is your favorite part of Lily's daydream about her father's return? How does this daydream give us a clue into Lily's relationship with her father?
What do you think Strathclyde knows about the spade?
Chapter Eight: The Garden
Describe Strathclyde.
What do you think is "The Sign of the Spade"?
What is Lily's relationship with her brothers like?Chapter Nine: The Painter
Why do you think the Painter was so sad?
What do you think happened to Arthur's family?
Arthur said that he could tell that something in his sorrow had touched a long-neglected part of Titus' heart. What part of Titus' heart do you think he meant, and how could he tell?
