Vocabulary & Questions 

Chapters - Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | Epilogue

Do you know the meanings of these words and the answers to these questions?  Click here to view a printable PDF version.

Prologue and Chapter 1
hearth  p. 8
privy  p. 9
constable  p. 10
faltered  p. 13

• At the beginning of the book Lacey finds out that there is going to be a new baby in the family.  She is afraid that her dad will love the baby more that he loves her.  Have you ever had any similar feelings?  Do you think that Lacey should be worried?
• Gram Jennie said that the tulip quilt was stitched with courage, hope and heartache.  As you read the book, pay attention to clues that may tell you why.
• Make a prediction about why Hattie thought the quilt let in darkness.

• The children discuss the adult problems of slavery.  The discussion causes friction among friends.  Do you remember a time that adult issues have come between you and a friend?  Is it smart to discuss adult issues?  Why or why not?
• The children attend a "blab school".  Explain how a "blab school" is different than school today.
• Are freckles in the blood?

Chapters 4, 5 and 6
harrow  p. 29
furrow  p. 29
ravelings  p. 31
lard  p. 31
rooted  p. 31
mangy  p. 33
handbill  p. 35
heredity  p. 38
slavocracy  p. 41

• Should Hattie have admitted to locking the girls in the outhouse?  Should the boys have "snitched"?  Why or why not?
• Poppa asks Hattie if she would have loved him less if he had had black ancestors?  What is he trying to make her understand?

• On page 49, Hattie wonders about the difference between outlaws and being outside of the law?  Do you think there is a difference?  Why or why not?
• The girls quit being friends.  Is that smart?  Do you think they can get over their differences?
• Miss Garnet told the girls that bickering is "common".  What does she mean?
• She has the girls practice their handwriting by copying the sentence "A friend forgives at all times."  What do you think of the statement?  Do you forgive your friends at all times?

Chapters 9 and 10
corduroy  p. 56
bustle  p. 56 (as in clothing)
coax  p. 58
sweetbrier  p. 58
curt  p. 64
abolitionist  p. 64
eternal  p. 66

• The girls become friends again and make up a secret code to use when their parents are around.  Try making up a secret code with one or more of your friends.
• Hattie wonders if her parents are outlaws.  She doesn't see how if they are helping people.  What do you think?  Why?
• Make a prediction.  Will Hattie be able to keep the family's secret?

• Even with all of the pressure and worries, Hattie's family can still joke and laugh.  Do you think that is okay? Why or why not?

Chapters 14 and 15
winced  p. 83
nurturing  p. 84
detain  p. 87
wailed  p. 88
reticule  p. 89
intently  p. 92
smoldered  p. 93
uppity  p. 94

• At the end of chapter 14, make a prediction.  Do you think the slave hunters will find runaways in the straw?
• Why did Pierce say that Hattie shouldn't ask if her Grandfather knew about runaways, and what would he have done if there had been some in the straw?

• Should the uncles and Pierce have explained to Hattie about the snipe hunt?  Why or why not?
• How is Mama's family a tinderbox family?
• Should Poppa tell Hattie about Lizzy?  Why or why not?
• Everyone seems to think that Hattie can't keep a secret.  What do you think?

Chapters 18, 19 and 20
embers  p. 111
brassy  p. 112
flourished  p. 116
bloodhounds  p. 119
baying  p. 119
dwindled  p. 123

• Mama says that Lizzy won't be free while her children are still slaves.  Lizzy had already escaped, so what does she mean?
• In chapter 20, Hattie starts to help the family too.  Is she also breaking the law?  How does Hattie feel?  How would you have felt in Hattie's position?

• Many secrets are told in this book.  Hattie breaks her promise to her mama and tells her Poppa about the new baby?  Was it okay to have broken her promise?  Why or why not?
• Hattie's Mama starts to make a new quilt.  It has black fabric that she has dyed herself.  Hattie arranges the pieces into railroad tracks.  Later, she names the pattern "Freedom's Tracks."  Why is this a good name?
• Do you think that Miss Garnet knows about the runaway slaves at the Crosby house?

Chapters 24, 25 and 26
keen  p. 145
schoolmarm  p. 147
ambled  p. 147
docile  p. 148
drover  p. 149
trousers  p. 152

• Do you think that the tulip quilt is a map for Lizzy's children?  Why or why not?
• In Hattie's time, children did not go to school if they had to help with work at home.  Hattie has to stay home several times in the story.  Do you think the children received a good education?  Why or why not?
• The Fugitive Slave Act meant that the constable could make Hattie's poppa and uncles look for runaway slaves.  Was it a good law?  Why or why not?

• On page 164, what does mama mean by it is "no good visiting the Maybes?"  Who are the Maybes?  Do you agree with Mama?  Why or Why not?

Chapters 29 and Epilogue
churlish  p. 166
disgrace  p. 167
considerate  p. 167
resolute  p. 169

• On page 167, Hattie thinks Miss Garnet looked like she would have liked to have said some things over.  What do you think that she would have said?
• Why is it significant that there is a pumpkin growing on Baby Louisa's grave?
• Do you think that the story about Hattie will help Lacey accept her patchwork family better?  Why or why not?