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Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech

Summary

It started out as an ordinary summer. But the minute 13-year-old Zinny discovered the old, overgrown trail that ran through the woods behind her family's house, she realized that things were about to change. Right from the start, Zinny knew that uncovering the trail would be more than just a summer project. It was her chance to finally make people notice her, and to have a place she could call her very own. But more than that, Zinny knew that the trail somehow held the key to all kinds of questions. And that the only way to understand her family, her Aunt Jessie's death, and herself was to find out where it went. Here is the story of a girl who sets out in search of her place in the world and discovers it in her own backyard.

261 pages, 5th grade and up

Discussion questions

Warning! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

  1. "Life is a bowl of spaghetti . . . every now and then you get a meatball." Discuss the spaghetti and meatball aspects of Zinny Taylor's life.
  2. How many children are in your family? Where is your place in the birth order? Do you think birth order affects personality?
  3. Discuss Zinny's conflicted feelings about her large family. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of large families? Of small families?
  4. After Zinny discovers the path, she is driven to unravel the mystery of where it goes and what it represents. Have you ever discovered something that made you have to know more?
  5. At first Zinny can't believe that Jake Boone is interested in her. Why is this?
  6. What do you think about Jake's efforts to woo Zinny? How would you have reacted to his efforts?
  7. Why does Zinny blame herself for the deaths of Baby Rose and Aunt Jessie?
  8. Zinny is an enthusiastic collector. What are some of the things she collects? What does that say about her to you?
  9. What does clearing the trail represent for Zinny in her life?
  10. Zinny's contact with nature and the peace, space and quiet she finds outdoors help her sort out her buried feelings of grief. In what ways does the natural world help Zinny sort out her feelings?

Activities

Plant flowers in individual pots for book group members to take home. Plant from seed or small seedlings. Invite everyone to bring an example of something they collect and ask each person to talk about what is significant to them about the item.

Snack ideas: spaghetti and meatballs, of course!

Portions of this discussion guide are credited to 100 Books for Girls to Grow On by Shireen Dodson (HarperCollins, 1998).

Created in part with funds granted by the Oregon State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library. Send feedback to Katie O'Dell, Reading Promotions Coordinator