skip navigation links

Readers > Talk it Up! > Discussion guides > Saffy's Angel

Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay

Summary

When Saffy (short for Saffron) accidentally learns that she's the adopted daughter of artists, Eve and Bill, she's quite disturbed. She doesn't think she fits anymore, even though everyone assures her she does. When Grandad dies, he leaves her “Saffy's Angel” even though no one knows what, where, or who the angel might be. How she discovers her angel and her place in the Casson family, with the help of a new friend, is an enchanting tale of eccentric characters and the ties that bind families together.

Booktalk

Saffron (or Saffy), the adopted daughter of artists, Eve and Bill, didn't learn she was actually their niece until she was eight years old. And she only learned then because she realized her name wasn't on the color chart in the kitchen! You see, the other three children were named after colors on the chart: Cadmium (or Caddy, for short), Indigo, and Rose. But when Saffron couldn't find her name, it all came out. How her mother, Eve's twin sister, was killed in a car crash. How Saffy was born in Siena, Italy and how she was brought to England by Grandad before he had a stroke.

For the next few years Saffy wonders if she's really part of the family. And then, when she's 13, grandfather dies and leaves something to each of the children: Cadi gets the crumbling down cottage in Wales. Indigo get the smashed up Bentley. Rose gets the cash -- all L44, in coin -- and promptly uses it in a collage.

And Saffy? Well, Saffy gets her angel, if she can find it. And to do that, she's going to need help. But from whom?

152 pages, 5th grade and up

Discussion questions

  1. What did you think about how Saffy learned she was adopted? When would you have told her?
  2. Indigo thinks of his sisters as his pack. How do we decide who is “family”?
  3. What did you think of this family? Do you know anyone like them?
  4. Father Bill lives in London in a “real artist's studio”. Eve paints in the shed. How would you define a “real artist”? Who was the real artist in this family and why?
  5. What do you think of Sarah's plan to find Saffy's Angel?
  6. How do you describe “home”? Is it anything like the Banana House? What do you think of its name?
  7. What was this book all about? How did all these different kinds of people fit together?
  8. If you could be any of the characters who would you be and why? What is your favorite type of art? Drawing? Clay? Collage? Etc.
  9. If you could stowaway to visit someplace, where would it be and why? What would you tell your parents? How do you think they'd respond?
  10. What did you learn about from reading this book?
  11. Play Siskel & Ebert. Thumbs up or down?

If you like this book, try

Snacks: Bananas, baked beans, toasted curry sandwiches, jam and toast, tomato sandwiches, and tea, of course!

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