Researcher

I would like to examine bullying. These girls bully Ann in the beginning because she isn't considered pretty and she is on scholarship. In the beginning, Felicity makes it look like Ann stole her ring that her father gave her. She slowly begins to bond with the other girls.

Discussion Director

pages 231 - 403

1. Do you think it is weird for Gemma to be able to see her mother in the realms? What do you think about the warnings from Circe? Do you think that visiting her mother with Sally Carny is a mistake?

2. Do you think that Kartik and Gemma will continue to have a relationship even through Gemma in continuously visiting the realms?

3. Now that Gemma has learned that Sarah didn't die in the fire all those years ago and knows that she is Circe, what do you think will happen?

4. Now that the girls are starting to take the magic of the realms back to the real world, what do you think will happen? Why do you think Gemma took the magic even though her mother warned her that she wasn't ready? What do you think will happen next?

5. Do you think that Kartik will continue to watch over Gemma?

6. Why do you think that Pippa is marrying Mr. Bumble, even through she knows she will be unhappy and her true love lies within the realms?

7. Now that Circe has entered the realms, and Pippa was left behind, what do you think will happen? Do you think that Felicity is bing corrupted by the realms? Do you think Gemma will be able to fight off Circe?

8. What do you think will happen now that Gemma has discovered that Mary Dowd is really her mother?

9. Did you think Gemma would be able to fight off Circe? Now that she has, do you think she will be able to do it again?

10. Do you think it was a good decision for Pippa to stay behind in the realms and not go back?

11. What do you think will happen now that Gemma has left? Do you think she will run into Kartik again? How do you think the story will continue?

Researcher

Some elements of the occult are covered in this book. The word occult means "knowledge of the paranormal". While these girls may have a knowledge of relams and sprits, they are not practicing anything surrounding the occult. Many religons argue that the occult is purely supernatural and has nothing to do with a higher power. In this book, the occult is highly frowned upon and look at as evil.

Discussion Director

pages 161 - 230

1. Why do you think Pippa's parents are trying to force her to get married? Do you think it is normal for a girl to get married at such a young age? How do you think the way people meet and get married are different now, than they were during the Victorian age?

2. What do you think of Mary and Sarah 's relationship? Now that Sarah is loosing her powers and is asking Mary for help, what do you think will happen? What could Mary do to actually help Sarah in this situation? Why do you think Sarah wants to keep her powers so badly?

3. Do you think Sarah should trust what Mary is saying, even though she already broke the rules and visited the dark spirit and plans to go against every good they know? What could you say about the difference between Mary and Sarah's values/morals?

4. In the story, Anne cuts herself. What similarities and differences to modern times do you see in the pressures of society, that lead to Anne's masochistic behavior?

5. Why do you think Felicity is so persistent in trying to visit the realms?

6. Do you think Gemmas vision caused Pippa's to have an episode of her epilepsy? What do you think will happen to her? Do you think she will be okay? Do you think Gemma feels guilty?

7. Now that Gemma has learned that the year of the fire, was when Mary and Sarah attended the school how do you think that will affect the rest of the story?

8. Now that the girls keep visiting the realms, what do you think will happen?

Discussion Director

pages 141 - 160

1.Do you think it is a bad idea for Gemma to be sharing the diary with the others?

2. Since Gemma isn't telling them the whole truth about the book, do you think her lies will catch up with her? In general do you feel that lies tend to catch up with people?

3. What did you thik about the "oath" the girls made to each other in the cave? Do you think all the happiness they share will last?

4. Do you think the girls will get caught? Do you think that they will continue to sneak out at night even if they do get caught?

5. Do you think Felicity is a true friend to Gemma? Why do you think she passed the note to Gemma, even though it would clearly hurt her feelings?

Discussion Director

pages 121 - 140

1.Do you think the Rakshana are dangerous? Do you think Gemma should really be worried about her visions? Do you think Kartik will end up being more of a friend or an enemy?
2. Do you think Miss Moore will help Gemma in understanding more about the Order?
3. Do you think it is a good or bad idea for the girls to sneak out at night? What do you think will happen in the cave?
4. Do you think the bond the girls are forming will last or fade? DO you think they will really accept Anne into the group?
5. At this point do you think Gemma will ever tell the others about her powers? If so, how do you think they will react? Do you think telling the others would be a good decision, or a bad one?

Word Watcher

Boisterious: boi-ster-uhs, -struhs

noisily jolly or rowdy; clamorous; unrestrained:

Ithal steps closer, toys with the cape's ribbon at the hollow of Felicity's throat. His voice is boisterous, laughing, but the smile doesn't travel to the eyes. They are wounded and angry. "I'm not on that side of the wall tonight."

Page 208, Chapter Eighteen

1. In this situation, would this boisterous laughter and smile make you scared or nervous? explain.