1. Explore Chicago, Illinois. What changes did the city make after the Great Fire of 1871? Identify present-day Chicago's strengths and weaknesses.

2. The people of Chicago rebuilt the city within three years of the fire. To what can the successful rebuilding be attributed? By 1893, as Chicago hosted the World's Fair, the population had grown to two million. What brought people to Chicago after the fire?

3. Research the Underground Railroad used by former slaves to escape the South. How many slaves used it? How did it work? Describe its "conductors."

4. Study the Chicago fire using letters, diaries, and articles written by people who lived through the fire and walked the same Chicago streets. Does Robinet's book portray the significant events accurately? Did she leave out any information? Why?

5. Research horse-drawn carriages used in 1871. Just as automobiles differ in luxury and style, how did...