by Maggie Stiefvater The Scorpio Races

Welcome to Thisby.

Meet your Author…Maggie Stiefvater

“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.” What is so important about the first line in a story? What is your favorite story/novel of all time? Why do you consider that title as your favorite? Look up the first line from your favorite story and write it down. Did the first line do its job in capturing your attention? Why/why not? Think about your morning. As you rose, what would have been the first line of your day? How would you have captured a reader’s attention with the first line in your day?

Prologue…seems reasonable to be afraid. Sean recalls, “Instead I remember him as he was before the race: afraid. I won’t make the same mistake.” How is fear a mistake? How is fear and advantage?

Chapter One… “Being a Connolly came first. That was the only rule. You could hurt all the feelings you liked, so long as you weren’t hurting the feelings of a Connolly.” Based on what Puck has shared, describe her family. What is Family Pride? Do you feel that way about your family? How do you show family pride? As she sees Gabe smile, Puck thinks, “The sad thing is this---I’ve gotten used to this fake one. I’ve become willing to wait for the real one to reappear, without realizing I should've been working hard to find it again.” What can you infer about Gabe from Puck’s thoughts? What type of relationship do you think the siblings share?

Chapter two… “Thisby is an island well populated by sons disappointing their fathers…” What do you think our author means by this observation? What impact did the descriptive writing about the butchered cow have on you, the reader Why do you believe it was included? Do you find it odd that Sean chooses to race yet lost his father to the same sport? Sean thinks, “I’m so, so alive.” Explain Sean’s feelings about the capaill uisce. What supports from this chapter could be used to prove your opinion.

Chapter Three… Puck slams and messes and throws open the door in hopes of being noticed. Why is she so upset? Why is it important that Finn acknowledge her? Describe what you do when you are hoping to be noticed? Is it effective? Why/why not? Can you think of any reasons for Gabe’s departure…leaving his younger siblings on their own? Do you recall any details from the story that may help explain his decision?

ChaPter Four… “He controls the horse like a fishing boat controls the sea,” Explain. What emotion or character trait drives people like Mutt to despise those like Sean? Discuss. Why does Sean set the capaill free?

Chapter Five… Kate had hoped to go to the beach alone…yet relinquishes so quickly and lets Finn join her. What insight does the author provide into Kate’s character by sharing this moment? What reason might Finn have had for being so attentive that morning?

Chapter Six… Lead…threes and sevens…counterclockwise movements…Of what are these examples? “It’s only a decade of riding dozens of water horses that allows me to remain myself. Describe what is happening to Sean as he rides the mare across the sand. She’s fast…why throw her back?

Chapter Seven… Are you able to infer how Sean is thought of on the island by the actions of others? How does your author share his status? Why do you think those on the beach are so unwilling to deal with Puck? Mum used to say to Puck…”sometimes obstacles were there to stop you from doing something stupid.” However Gabe was told, “…sometimes it means you just need to try harder.” Why would the same advice have different meanings for each child? If Puck is willing to race for 4/5ths…what can you infer about the winnings?

Chapter Eight… How does the author mislead you…the reader…during the attack of the piebald mare? What did you believe was occurring? What actually occurred? What feeling does the author’s technique cause in the reader? Is it effective? Why/why not?

Chapter Nine… How would you define the word relationship? Using supports from the story, describe Sean’s relationship with Corr. Consider the simile, their relationship was split…like a coin. Explain the divided nature of Sean and Corr’s relationship.

Chapter Ten… How does an author’s use of figurative language benefit a reader? Locate and list as many examples of figurative language as you can as you reread this chapter. Which example did you most appreciate and why? Think about the dangers of the race. Why, even though there is great risk, are they necessary? Mum would say, “,,,this would be a dead island without them.” “,,,what say does a girl have in how big her chest gets?” Why do we become embarrassed about the things we have no control over…like our physical features? At this early point in the story, what stereotypical/cliché storyline can you predict will play out between Mutt and Sean? What roles do each coy play in this cliché?

Chapter Eleven Can you explain why Puck desires Gabe’s attention so badly? Based on the construction of the Malvern Stables, how do the people of Thisby look upon horses? In one word…what does Sean want most of all?

Chapter Twelve… “I mean, clearly, yes, we need the money, but I would’ve had to be the island’s best fool if I thought that I stood a chance against winning against those massive horses.” If Puck has no chance of winning, why is she racing? Explain Puck’s concern over disappointing Peg Gratton. Why would she care? Why do we feel the impact of disappointing others? Who do you feel worst about disappointing?

Chapter Thirteen… Is the relationship between Sean and Corr weak or strong? Is it so different than the other riders? What character traits would you use to describe Sean? Share the three strongest along with support from the story to prove your choices.

Chapter Fourteen… Puck mentions that, “…my character’s improved a lot since then. Nowadays I would’ve only thought the spitting part instead of saying it to his face.” In this context, what is meant by the word character? How does one’s character improve and what causes the improvement? Do you believe your character has changed since say…two years ago? How? Why?

Chapter Fifteen Sean smiles at the irony of the wind throwing sand in his face. How is this ironic? As Sean watches Kate, what do you think the author wanted you to sense about his feelings? What words and phrases are used to allow the reader a sneak peak into Sean’s opinion of Kate? Does Kate have a right to be on the beach? Or do you agree with Sean that she should leave? Explain your viewpoint and use supports from the story to prove your argument.

Chapter Sixteen… Puck thinks,“It’s hard to think that I have enough pride left to damage, but there it is.” What is pride? How is it helpful? How is it harmful? Do you believe that Gabe has betrayed his only remaining family? Why/why not?

Chapter Seventeen… How is this type of attack so frightening? What makes it so? What role if any can you infer that Mutt played in the attack? Why would he chosen to damage his own father’s property?

Chapter Eighteen… Sean holds the ability to end the attacking capall’s life in his hands. Yet, he chooses to leave both the wild creature and Fundamental behind. Why? Would you have done the same? Why/why not?

Chapter Nineteen… Puck describes her sense of betrayal as simmering and boiling. How is this an effective description for anger? How would you describe the last time you were truly angry using a powerful metaphor?

Chapter twenty… Have you ever dealt with a Mutt...someone that is willing to go to great lengths to get others into trouble? Why do you believe people behave this way? What might Mutt be lacking in his life? “We are more dangerous every day,” thinks Sean of Corr and himself. How are the pair BOTH more dangerous?

Chapter Twenty-one Why do adults tell children stories of bad happenings? What story do you recall being told for these reasons?

Chapter twenty-two We know Sean’s opinion of Mutt. However, what does the boy’s own father think of him? How can you tell? Share examples from the story. Reread the final line in the chapter. What do you believe is different about this year for Sean? For what do you predict he is still waiting?

Chapter twenty-three Can you think of a good reason for Puck to keep the truth from Finn? Is there ever a good time to lie? Explain your view. “To not say anything at all seems worse than saying something awful.” Agree? Why/why not? How did you feel when Kate was offered the right to ride a true competitor…a capaill uisce?

Chapter twenty-four Describe Kate’s reaction when asked about Sean. What can you infer from her reaction to the questioning about Sean? “Boys just aren’t very good at being afraid.” What does this quote imply? Can you explain Finn’s reaction?

Chapter twenty-five Why on Earth would Sean consider throwing the race…lose on purpose? Have you ever done something like this? Why?

Chapter twenty-six Sean recalls his father’s training…”my father feared the sea more than he feared the heights.” Sean considers, “I think they’re both deadly, which isn’t the same as being afraid.” Explain what Sean means in this observation. In Kate’s eyes, why has Sean earned the right to call her Puck?

Chapter twenty-seven Holly observes, “Well your face looks like it remembers a smile.” Who is Holly speaking to and what can you infer from his observation? Why would Sean describe Kate as insane? Does he mean it in a negative way? Explain. As a reader, how would you describe her character? Use support from the story to support your opinions.

Chapter Twenty-eight “…one bred hooligans and that the other gave those hooligans two more legs than they could steer.” From this comment, how would you describe Puck’s Dad’s feelings about the festival? From what you now know, do you agree with his opinion? Why/why not? “Finn looks amused at the “Kate”, probably because when Brian says it, it sounds like I’m more responsible than I really am.” Do you have a nickname? Kate is called Puck. Do we know why? How do people receive nicknames? “Before I had a few yards of seawater between me and everyone who might say something about me being in the races. Now the only thing between me and everyone else will be a few pints of beer.” Explain what has caused this realization in Puck. What emotion do you believe she is experiencing?

Chapter Twenty-nine Brian’s sisters are on the mainland, too. Why do you think so many of the older children leave Thisby? How does Brian seem to accept this fact? Does his reaction differ from Pucks? If yes, why? How would you explain a curse? Do you believe they are possible? Why/why not? Describe Gabe’s reaction to Puck’s news. Is it what you expected? Why/why not? Can you give a reason to his behavior?

Chapter Thirty Describe the personification at Opening to chapter 30. What is being personified. Share some examples that you feel are most powerful. Why does the Malvern Yard poster have meaning for Sean? What literary device might the interaction with “The Mare” represent? If you had to guess using your experiences from the story, what do you think Sean wished for all those years ago? Is the final sentence, “Skata is the piebald mare.” meaningful in any way? What can you infer from this final thought.

Chapter Thirty-one Given their dislike of one another…why does Sean work so hard to keep Mutt safe? Do you believe Mutt’s final comment was a threat? Explain your opinion.

Chapter Thirty-two Describe the ceremony in which the riders must participate. Why would this be necessary? Can you think of any current ceremony that would be parallel to this occasion? Explain the reasons the men have for denying Kate the race. Are their reasons justified? Why/why not?

Chapter Thirty-three Why must Sean mark the beach and cliffs with Corr’s manure? By admitting, “I won’t say there’s nothing. I just don’t know what it is.” Describe what Sean is thinking of. What can the reader infer about Sean’s feelings? What about Kate “shames” Sean? From her courage, what does he seem to find the courage to do?

Chapter Thirty-four Puck speaks of going to confession. Why does she believe she needs to do this and what exactly is confession? Explain why Puck placed stones in the oven for her November Cakes. She’s not training – Why has she chosen to watch rather than ride? Be specific. “The sky and the sand and the sea and Corr.” Who speaks these words and what is there meaning? “On Thisby, it’s less about wanting and more about being,” Who speaks these words and what is there meaning? Reread the conversation between Puck and Sean, just before he leaves. Puck thinks, “I feel like I’ve learned something important about the races to come, but I’ve no idea how to write it down.” If you had to give Puck your opinion, what would you tell her had been learned that day?

Chapter Thirty-five Think about the conversation between Sean and Malvern. “I didn’t make them what they are.” Explain Sean’s comment. “My father rode him and my father lost him, and then I found him again. He’s the only family I have.” From this confession, what have we learned about Sean? How is this important to the story development? Does Sean’s decision to quit surprise you? Does Malvern’s decision to allow this surprise you? What game does Malvern accuse Sean of playing? Reread the paragraph beginning with, “As Malvern watches the next horse…” how is it that Sean feels he’s never risked anything? What is the one thing that he’s truly afraid to lose?

Chapter Thirty-six Describe the differences between Dove and the capaill. Why are the boys teasing/taunting Puck? Do you know what a bookie is? How would you describe what they do? Use the dictionary if you are unsure. And the odds? 45-1? Although brave, how does Puck lose the respect of the boys on the beach? Why did she need/want this respect? Or, do you believe the boy’s feelings are not important? Explain your opinion.