| 1. | The narrator says that Penelope Lumley looks like anyone would expect a governess to look like. How would you describe Penelope? |
| |
| 2. | Penelope insists that “children should sleep in beds, in clean pajamas, and have bedtime books read aloud” (p.52). What other things do you think children need? |
| |
| 3. | Think about how Lord Fredrick claims ownership of the children after finding them on his property. Should the rule “finders keepers” apply to all situations? Why or why not? |
| |
| 4. | The word governess is a word that means nanny. Does Penelope act like a nanny should? Why or why not? |
| |
| 5. | Penelope buys books as presents, and she carefully tries to pick out the perfect book for each person on her list. Have you ever received a book as a gift? Was it a “perfect” book for you? Why or why not? |
| |
| 6. | Penelope came to Ashton Place for a job interview. This was her first job interview after getting out of school. Do you think she was lucky or unlucky in being hired? |
| |
| 7. | Penelope graduated from “The Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females.” Describe what you think this school is like. (think classes, meals, dorm rooms). Use your imagination! |
| |
| 8. | Penelope can “act like a hero even when she doesn’t feel like one?” What makes someone a hero? |
| |
| 9. | There are a lot of stories about orphans. Consider Harry Potter, the Boxcar Children, and a Series of Unfortunate Events. Are the incorrigibles like other orphans? Why do you think kids like stories about orphans? |
| |
| 10. | Penelope sits the children under a tree and tells them: “No more chasing squirrels.” When Alexander growls she repeats a saying of Agatha Swanburnes: “If it were easy to resist, it would not be called chocolate cake.” What do you find hard to resist? |
| |
