1. Describe Hunsdon House. How does it contribute to setting and mood?

How does the house reflect the personality of its owner, Laurel Perry Lynn?

2. Examine Polly's relationship with her parents. What problems does she face? How realistic are those descriptions and the solutions that Jones provides?

3. Describe how Tom and Polly's friendship develops. Why does Polly like Tom? What does he offer her that her family does not?

4. Explore the role of Nina's character in the opening scenes. How is she a foil for Polly? What characteristics of Nina's does Polly admire? Which is she annoyed by? What does their early friendship show about Polly?

5. Polly decides that she must train to be an "assistant hero" while at school. She exercises rigorously and believes she has to train to fight. What does Polly learn from this training?

What are her values and her definition...