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Readers > Talk it Up! > Discussion guides > The Wanderer

The Wanderer by Sharon Creech

Summary

Thirteen-year-old Sophie, her two cousins, and three uncles sail across the Atlantic Ocean to England to visit the ailing patriarch of the family, Bompie. Sophie conveys her fascination with the sea in journal entries and retellings of Bompie's stories, "The sea, the sea, the sea. It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in." Cousin Cody writes his own journal entries and reveals that Sophie is an unreliable narrator and not always telling the truth. What happened in her past? Why does Sophie tell us things that Cody says are not true? These questions will motivate readers to keep reading to discover the answers to Sophie's secrets.

305 pages, 5th grade and up

Discussion questions

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

  1. What are the advantages of having both Sophie and Cody take turns narrating this story? Why do you think the author did that?
  2. At what point do readers learn that Sophie isn't necessarily a reliable narrator?
  3. Sophie describes herself like this, "I am not always such a dreamy girl, listening to the sea calling me. My father calls me Three-sided Sophie: one side is dreamy and romantic; one is logical and down-to-earth; and the third side is hardheaded and impulsive." Do you agree with this description? Find parts in this story that support your opinion.
  4. What are some of the things that Sophie likes about sailing? How does it make her feel?
  5. On page 95, Sophie says, "I wondered if it was better to know about the bad things in advance and worry about them, or whether it was better not to know, so that you could enjoy yourself." What is your opinion on this topic? Give examples of when each situation might be better.
  6. Sophie's three uncles are each on their own search. Describe each uncle and what this sailing trip might mean to them.
  7. How is Brian different from Sophie and Cody? What are some of his good qualities?
  8. On page 152, Sophie reacts strongly to seeing the mother and child dolphins. Why is that?
  9. How does the storm effect the boat trip and the crew? What do we learn when Sophie describes the wave as being black? (pg. 256).
  10. What is the significance of the Bompie stories? How does Sophie know them?
  11. Who does Bompie recognize first? Why is that?
  12. How is Sophie able to come to terms with the truth about her past?

Activities

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Investigate photography books about sailing and England to get a sense of where the crew was headed.

Snack ideas: Imagine what kinds of food would store well on a boat. Limit yourself to a library picnic based on these foods.

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