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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What makes Sarah uneasy when Christopher asks her to dance?

2. Why does Kaleo kill Nissa's father?

3. Who answers the door when Sarah arrives at Christopher's home?

4. What does Nissa say about Robert?

5. What is Nissa's relation to Christopher?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Christopher ask Sarah to do on Saturday and what does Sarah reply?

2. Why can't Sarah become friends with Christopher and Nissa?

3. Who is Sarah Vida and what is she doing at the opening of the novel?

4. How does Sarah prepare for the dance and why does she do so?

5. Why is Sarah nervous about coming to this house and what will happen to the humans at the party?

6. Why do Christopher and Nissa go to school?

7. What happens when Adianna confronts Sarah?

8. What does Sarah ask Nissa when she accidentally encounters her in the hall?

9. What happened to Sarah's father? How does Sarah respond to his death?

10. What does Sarah realize about Robert and what does she ask him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.

2. What in Atwater-Rhodes's background may have helped her in writing Shattered Mirror? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Shattered Mirror. Questions that Atwater-Rhodes most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Atwater-Rhodes' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Atwater-Rhodes' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Atwater-Rhodes and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Would you consider the ending of Shattered Mirror a happy ending? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Shattered Mirror and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Shattered Mirror is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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