for Maureen McQuerry’s Wolfproof 

1) The writer Barbara Brown Taylor says:  “A story does not ask for decision; instead, it asks for identification, which is how transformation begins.”  (Barbara Brown Taylor,  When Godis Silent)

Which character do you most closely identify with in the story?  How does that character change during the course of the adventure?  

2)  Timothy James describes himself as “an undesirable”, someone who doesn’t fit into the culture of middle school.

Think back to your own school experiences. How did you, or did you not fit, in? 

3) There are many symbols from Celtic and British mythology in the novel.The Greenman figure appears in churches throughout the British Isles, and yet it is a pre-Christian symbol dating back to classical Rome.

Why do you think it has been allowed to remain in churches?

What, if any, relevance do myths have in our world today? 

4) The novelist Doris Betts says: “I work mostly with characters who gradually, sometimes reluctantly, become alert to the possibility that human life is more than meets the eye.”

How is this theme played out in Timothy’s life? 

4) Early in the book Timothy says: “Maybe our wishes are rumors of things we’re supposed to do.”

What do you think the relationship is between your desires, your talents and your calling? 

5)  In a conversation with Prof. Twig, he asks Sarah and Timothy a question: “Do you believe in evil?” Then he goes on to say that most people fear the wrong things.

Do you believe that evil exists?

What do you think Prof Twig means by “most people fear the wrong things?” 

 6) Timothy chooses to help Jessica at great personal risk.

Why does he make that choice?

What would you be willing to risk your life for? 

7) The Greenman reminds Sarah that “You can’t always tell who a creature serves by looking at the outside.”

What does he mean by that statement?

Can you think of examples from your life when that has been true? 

Jessica receives a special reward after causing much of the misfortune in the story.

Is that fair? 

9) Sarah believes that she was responsible for Timothy’s fall and that the fall might have killed him. Cerridwyn looks at the events from another perspective, saying that Sarah’s mistake may have saved him.

How does the concept of “redeemed actions” play out in the story?  

10) The writer G. K.. Chesterton says, “Fairy stories are more than true, not because they tell us there are dragons, but because they tell us they can be defeated.”

What does he mean by this statement?

Why do you believe fantasy is such a popular genre today?

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