A Christmas Carol: book club questions by chapter

🦉 A Christmas Carol · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “Marley's Ghost” (pages 1–4, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 4, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What was Marley's ghost wrapped in?
   The story's answer: A chain of cashboxes, keys and padlocks
2. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
3. The part we just read is called "Marley's Ghost". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
4. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 A Christmas Carol · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Two, “The Ghost of Christmas Past”; Part Three, “The Ghost of Christmas Present” (pages 5–9, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 9, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Why did Scrooge weep beside the lonely boy in the schoolroom?
   The story's answer: The boy was Scrooge himself, long ago
2. What did the Ghost of Christmas Present say might happen to Tiny Tim if nothing changed?
   The story's answer: His seat would be empty
3. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
4. The part we just read is called "The Ghost of Christmas Present". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
5. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 A Christmas Carol · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Four, “The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come”; Part Five, “Christmas Morning” (pages 10–14, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 14, the end of the story.

1. Whose name did Scrooge read on the forgotten gravestone?
   The story's answer: Ebenezer Scrooge
2. What does the story teach about Scrooge's chance to change?
   The story's answer: It is never too late to become kind and generous
3. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
4. The part we just read is called "Christmas Morning". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
5. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. Which character changed the most from the beginning to the end?
   Listen for: Ask what changed them.
2. Which scene would you put on the poster if this were a film?
   Listen for: A way to find the scene that mattered most to each reader.