Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The Moreys temporarily take on the twins as travel companions for their separate adventures.

• What is the overall role of travel in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain how travel impacts the plot of the novel, and then discuss the symbolic significance of travel to Sairy and Tiller.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe Sairy and Tiller regret being separated during their travels or whether they will consider traveling separately again.

2. The death of Joey, a fellow orphan living at Boxton Creek Home for Children, has a profound effect.

• Where can the impact of Joey’s death be demonstrated in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe specific scenes in the novel when Joey’s death is described or alluded to, and then discuss the significance of his death.