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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. Where does September maneuver Saturday?

2. What color is September's hair turning?

3. What does Nor say about September?

4. From what are spriggans exempt?

5. Where do September and the others find themselves when they awaken?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dr. Fallow tell September about the foods she's been eating, and how does September react?

2. What surprises September when she leaves Mr. Map's office?

3. What is the Casket and who made it?

4. What does Nor tell September about everyone in the town and how September is like them?

5. Why does September think her hair is changing and how do the spriggans contradict her?

6. What do the Panther and September wonder about the sleeping Marquess, and what starts to happen and why?

7. Who does September meet when her raft collides with a thick net of water plants and where do they go?

8. Who meets Gleam and September inside the castle and what does September say to her?

9. Who is Mr. Map and what does he tell September?

10. What dreams do September and Death discuss?

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 Catherynne M. Valente.

2. What in Valente's background may have helped her in writing The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland? 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

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of September and The Marquess. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ell and Saturday. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze September. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of The Marquess. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Ell. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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