The Secret of the Old Clock: book club questions by chapter

🦉 The Secret of the Old Clock · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “The Missing Will”; Part Two, “The Storm” (pages 1–6, about 6 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 Storm". 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 Secret of the Old Clock · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Three, “The Clue of the Clock”; Part Four, “Moon Lake” (pages 7–16, about 10 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 16, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What made Abigail Rowen remember the notebook?
   The story's answer: The mantel clock striking three
2. Why did Nancy ask the marshal to keep her name out of it?
   The story's answer: She did not want the Tophams to learn about the notebook
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 "Moon Lake". 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.

🦉 The Secret of the Old Clock · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Five, “The Will” (pages 17–20, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 20, the end of the story.

1. Why did Nancy think a second will might exist?
   The story's answer: Mr. Rolsted had told her and her father the old man meant to write one
2. Where was the second will hidden?
   The story's answer: In a box at a bank, under a false name
3. What does the story suggest about the way Nancy solved the mystery?
   The story's answer: Patience, kindness and cleverness together helped her find the truth
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 Will". 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.
3. Is there a line or a moment you will remember? Why that one?
   Listen for: Let readers find it in the book and read it aloud.
4. Who would you give this story to, and why them?
   Listen for: A reader who can name the right person has understood what the story is like.
5. If you could ask the person who first told this story one question, what would it be?
   Listen for: Collect the questions; some have answers on the story's page in the library.