The Selfish Giant: book club questions by chapter

🦉 The Selfish Giant · meeting 1 of 2

Read: Part One, “The Wall”; Part Two, “The Endless Winter” (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. Why did the Giant build a wall around his garden?
   The story's answer: He wanted the garden only for himself
2. Why did spring refuse to come to the Giant's garden?
   The story's answer: There were no children, because the Giant was selfish
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 "The Endless Winter". 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 Selfish Giant · meeting 2 of 2

Read: Part Three, “The Little Boy in the Corner” (pages 7–13, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 13, the end of the story.

1. What was the first sign that spring had finally come?
   The story's answer: A linnet singing outside his window
2. Why was one corner of the garden still in winter?
   The story's answer: The little boy there could not climb into his tree
3. What does the story suggest about sharing?
   The story's answer: A thing you keep for yourself alone can lose what made it beautiful
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 Little Boy in the Corner". 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. Who in the story was kind, and who was not? How do you know?
   Listen for: Ask for the moment in the story that shows it.
2. Which part would you change, and how would the story end then?
   Listen for: There is no wrong ending; ask what else would have to change.