Reading Group Guide
Questions for Discussion
1. In the opening chapter Isabel writes of finding her mother and of then getting her brother and sister off to school. "That morning I eased her door shut, tied on her apron, and made breakfast for my little brother and sister. I felt proud to scramble their eggs and butter their toast. Later I tied blue ribbons in Olivia's hair and clipped the comb into a glass of water before parting Frank's. I had no idea it was the first of many mornings I'd be doing that." Her reactions to her siblings vacillate between duty and pride. How do these reactions manifest themselves during the course of the novel? Do they stay constant? Does one overpower the other? Why or why not?
2. Isabel searches for a sense of place after her mother's death. First that place is Malesso as she rejects their temporary exile at her aunt's house in Tamuning. Isabel writes: "We're stupid staying in Tamuning while our lives take place in Malesso." But she also searches for that sense of place by trying to establish a seating configuration both at home and with her classmates. More figuratively, she considers her place within her childhood group of friends, her friendship with Roman, and with relationships with her aunts and the people of Malesso. Discuss how that sense of place changes throughout the novel.
3. Why doesn't Isabel enter the contest for fiesta queen?
4. Both Olivia and Frank show signs of distress after their mother's death. Isabel records those signs, but only once does she seek help, and that is with the logistical problem of washing Olivia's wet sheets. What in her character and situation explains why she keeps these observations to herself?
5. Frank carves "I hate you" on his wall and "I hate" on his body. Whom or what does he hate so much?
6. Isabel, Frank, and Olivia are individuals, yet each contains characteristics of both parents. What traits of their mother do you see in each character? What of Tata?
7. Isabel writes two compositions based on a true, personal experience. One is a poem about Frank and she receives an "F" on that poem. She does the assignment over, writing about an imagined trip to Disneyland, and receives an A+. Why is each treated differently? What do you think each composition means to Isabel?
8. Isabel talks to Ed about her mother's suicide and tells him, "I still can't figure out why she killed...herself." Ed replies, "You probably never will. That's the sad part. Most survivors don't even know why. But you can learn something from what your mother did." What does Isabel learn from her mother's suicide?
9. Who is the keeper of the night and what is s/he keeping?
10. Look at the jacket of the book. It suggests certain elements about Keeper of the Night. Before you started reading, and you had only looked at the jacket, what did you think the book was going to be about? As you were reading were you surprised, disappointed, or pretty much finding what you suspected would be there? Talk about your response with other members of your group. Now look at the jacket again. How do you think the jacket conveys your interpretation of the book?
