1. Ellen's mother has been dead for several years before the story begins.

Her headstone is a quartz stone she kept on the window sill so she could watch the sun shine through it. From this fact alone we have a picture of her personality. What was she like?

2. What is a "dog-trot" cabin? Describe Ellen's house.

3. What is a night cry? Why does that make a good title for this book?

4. Joe Stump says that folks make up stories and superstitions because they do not feel easy not having answers.

He thinks they should just say they don't know and shut up. Do you agree or disagree with him? Why?

5. Ellen displays a proud independence that matches the independence of Granny Bo. Compare the two characters by giving examples from the book.

6. Why does Ellen think she will always stay at Crow's Point? Does...