How Thor Got His Hammer: book club questions by chapter

🦉 How Thor Got His Hammer · meeting 1 of 2

Read: Part One, “Sif's Golden Hair”; Part Two, “The Sons of Ivaldi”; Part Three, “Loki's Bet” (pages 1–8, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 8, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Why did Loki go to visit the dwarfs?
   The story's answer: To get Sif new golden hair
2. Who was the black fly that kept biting Brokk?
   The story's answer: Loki in disguise
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 "Loki's Bet". 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.

🦉 How Thor Got His Hammer · meeting 2 of 2

Read: Part Four, “The Short Handle”; Part Five, “The Judging”; Part Six, “Loki's Head” (pages 9–16, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 16, the end of the story.

1. Why did the hammer's handle come out too short?
   The story's answer: Brokk stopped pumping for a moment
2. How did Loki keep his head after he lost the bet?
   The story's answer: He said Brokk could not touch his neck
3. What does this story suggest about Loki's tricks?
   The story's answer: They make trouble, but sometimes good things come out of it
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 "Loki's Head". 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. What does this myth explain, or try to explain?
   Listen for: Many myths explain how something came to be: a season, an animal, a name.
2. Was the main character right or wrong? Was the ending fair?
   Listen for: Myths are often hard on people; let the group disagree.