Alice in Wonderland: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Alice in Wonderland · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “Down the Rabbit Hole” (pages 1–7, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 7, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Why did Alice chase the White Rabbit?
   The story's answer: He had a waistcoat and a pocket watch
2. What happened when Alice drank from the DRINK ME bottle?
   The story's answer: She shrank to ten inches high
3. 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.
4. The part we just read is called "Down the Rabbit Hole". 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.

🦉 Alice in Wonderland · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Two, “The Mad Tea Party” (pages 8–13, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 13, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. 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.
2. The part we just read is called "The Mad Tea Party". 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.
3. 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.

🦉 Alice in Wonderland · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Three, “The Queen of Hearts” (pages 14–19, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 19, the end of the story.

1. Why was it always teatime at the Hatter's table?
   The story's answer: It was always six o'clock there
2. Why could Alice stand up to the Queen at the trial?
   The story's answer: She had grown big and saw they were only cards
3. What does the story show about Alice's curiosity?
   The story's answer: It led her into a wonderful adventure
4. 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.
5. The part we just read is called "The Queen of Hearts". 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.
6. 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.