Book Club and Reading Group Guide
Topics for Discussion "Girl-On-Fire"
- What was Carrie's life on the prairie like before her kidnap? Were there
aspects of Carrie's new life with the Comanche that were better than the life
she left behind? What aspects was Carrie unable to accept? How did she
handle this?
- Why didn't Carrie try to escape once she was captured? How did the
reasons change as time went by? Was she "brainwashed" to stay? Was she being
practical because her chances for survival alone in the wild were slim? What
other factors influenced her?
- Carrie is forced to live in a situation where other people have power
over her. Do modern teenagers ever live in similar circumstances? Do women
in our society ever give up their power? What could they learn from Carrie?
- Do you believe in fate? Or do you believe fate can be overcome? Was
Danny destined to be with Carrie? Or do you think the prophetic dreams
Carrie and Blackhorse had, meant they should be destined for each other?
- Did you learn anything new about Comanche culture? What one thing
intrigued/surprised/entertained you the most? What aspects of Native
American culture and tradition could be valuable in modern life?
- In 1874, what was the role of women in Comanche tribal life? What was the
role of women in Euro-American frontier life? In which culture were women
more valued? How were these values expressed differently in each culture?
- Carrie was raised in a Protestant religion, but was then exposed to a new
form of spiritual worship. Did her spiritual sense expand as a result of her
experience? Does spiritual awareness help us with adversity?
- How does a person tell whether the inner voice they're trusting is truly
their own inner voice, or some form of "wishful thinking" or external
influence?
- As a former educator with the Mendocino Unified School District, Vicki
Werkley was trained in both academics and psychology. How might her teaching
background have influenced her as a novelist?
- Why is this book called Girl-On-Fire? Does this refer only to the name
given to Carrie by the Comanche? Or does it have metaphorical significance
as well?
Fiction: Girl-On-Fire: Topics
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