1. Characterize Hallelujah. How old is she?

Describe her temperament. How does her character evolve?

2. Describe Hallelujah's friend, Elizabeth.

What makes her important to the story? Why?

3. Depict Hallelujah's sister, Mary Jane. How does Mary Jane enhance the conflict that leads to Hallelujah's emergence?

4. Describe how the author uses dialect to diversify the cultures in her novel. How many cultures do you find?

5. Select two important social issues the author conveys through her story. What positive messages does she suggest?

6. Find several examples of imagery that Robinet uses to enable readers to experience the fire firsthand. Do you believe they are effective? If not, how would you change them?

7. Locate dialogue that highlights the racial prejudice of the era. Describe how the story perpetuates and/or transcends these attitudes.

8. Describe the major events of the era that the author mentions, such as the Emancipation Proclamation...