The Pied Piper of Hamelin: book club questions by chapter

🦉 The Pied Piper of Hamelin · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “A Town Full of Rats”; Part Two, “The Stranger in the Coat” (pages 1–6, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 6, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. 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.
2. The part we just read is called "The Stranger in the Coat". 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.

🦉 The Pied Piper of Hamelin · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Three, “Into the River”; Part Four, “The Other Tune” (pages 7–12, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 12, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. How much did the mayor promise to pay the piper?
   The story's answer: A thousand guilders
2. Why did the mayor refuse to pay once the rats were gone?
   The story's answer: He thought the piper could not bring them back
3. Why did Hans arrive at the hill too late?
   The story's answer: He walked with a crutch and could not keep up
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 Other Tune". 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. 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.

🦉 The Pied Piper of Hamelin · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Five, “Keeping the Promise” (pages 13–16, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 16, the end of the story.

1. What made the piper finally bring the children home?
   The story's answer: The town paid what it had promised, and more
2. What does the town of Hamelin learn?
   The story's answer: A promise must be kept, even when keeping it costs you
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 "Keeping the Promise". 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. What makes the main character a hero? Would you want them as a friend?
   Listen for: Heroes of legends are brave but not always kind; ask for both sides.
2. Which part of this could have really happened, and which part grew in the telling?
   Listen for: Legends often start from a real person or place.
3. How would the story change if someone else told it?
   Listen for: Try the villain's side.