1. Janus is thought of as the meanest man in the village, at least until the children get to know him. What general and specific ideas emerge from DeJong's treatment of Janus's character?

2. The teacher is an important person who helps transform the children's thoughts into action. Why do you suppose that DeJong never gives the teacher a name?

3. How do the children encourage adults to become interested in their project?

4. How important is the setting to the events of the novel? Could the story be elsewhere?

5. What have you learned from The Wheel on the School about the Dutch countryside and village life in the early twentieth century?