Caraval Discussion Guide (2)

CARAVAL

BY STEPHANIE GARBER
TOME SOCIETY DISCUSSION GUIDE

Before Reading
1. In this story, someone is warned that wishes come with costs. Have
you ever had a wish that came true only to realize it wasn’t everything
you had thought it would be? (page 42)
2. The main character has a grandmother that tells her exquisite stories.
Have you ever had someone in your life, particularly your early
childhood, that told you memorable stories? Are do you have stories
from you early childhood that you like to share with people?

After Reading
1. Scarlett didn’t think her father had anything to do with her mother’s disappearance because he had
been so upset when she left. What do you think happened to Paloma? Do you think she will make a
return in the sequel?
2. Scarlett saw flashes of color attached to her feelings. Later she briefly saw color attached to Julian’s
feelings. What do you think this means? (page 189, 227)
3. Right before Tella jumps of a ledge in front of Scarlett, Tella looks into Scarlett’s eyes with a tender
expression. How would you feel if your sister faked her own death and then acted so nonchalantly
about it after the truth came out? Would you be able to forgive her? Do you think Scarlett’s reaction
was normal? (page 386)
4. What do you think the sequel, Legendary, is going to be about?
5. On page 149, there is a quote that reads, “Every person has the power to change their fate if they are
brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.” Do you agree with this statement?
Why or why not? Did this statement apply to any of the book’s characters. Explain.
6. The following conversation takes place between Julian and Scarlett on page 248:
Julian’s caramel eyes filled with something like regret. “I never said I was a good person,
Crimson.”
“I don’t believe that.” Scarlett’s thoughts raced back to Nigel, the fortune-teller, how he’d told
her a person’s future could shift based on what he wanted most.
I believe you could be good if you wanted to be.”
Do you think Scarlett was right to believe in Julian? Even after everything you found out by the end
of the story, should she still trust him and believe in him? For example, among other things, he
brought Tella and Scarlett to the isle knowing that Legend was going to kidnap one of them.
7. On page 318, it says, “Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether.
Elusive, difficult to hold on to. But not much is needed.” Do you believe that hope is a type of magic?
Why or why not? What other human emotions could be considered magic? Explain.

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Post- Reading Activities
1. Fan Art Project
Garber used amazing imagery throughout the book. Create an 2D artistic product, either digital or
hand-created that represents something from Caraval. Use the following guidelines and enter it into
the It List Fan Art Competition.
 All entries must be totally and completely the original work of the student (no clip art or
stock images).
 Should be a picture representing a scene or characters from a current It List nominee, or a
redesign of the cover.
 Should include the title of the It List book somewhere on the image.
 Should not include any copyrighted material.
 Final product should be scanned/photographed in color and submitted as a .jpg or .png file.
 All Fan Art entries should be individual work. No group entries allowed in the
competition.

2. Poetry Project
Legend used poems and riddles to leave clues. Write a poem that is inspired by Caraval and enter it
into the It List Poetry Competition. Use the following guidelines:
 A cover page stating: It List book name, character name, short scene description (with page
numbers and book format for cross reference by judges)
 A creative title for the poem
 A clear tie-in to one of the current It List nominees
 At least 50 words
 A clear poetic style
 A clear word picture of which character is speaking and what scene they are inspired by
from the book

Questions to consider when composing your poem:
What character’s voice am I speaking in? During what scene is he/she/it thinking this? What is the
character feeling? What is the character sensing (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, etc)?

More About This Book

Check out the author’s official website @ http://stephaniegarberauthor.com/

Watch this book trailer for Caraval @ https://youtu.be/UDE89bxuTY4

Even more? Try out the 10 discussion questions for Caraval by the Peanut Blossom online book club @
https://www.peanutblossom.com/blog/caraval-book-club/

www.tomesociety.org © Copyright, Tome Society This document may be reprinted with this copyright statement included and
distributed for educational purposes only. No resale use may be made of material at any time. All other rights reserved.

Page 2 of 2