1. Bellairs claims that he creates stories that appeal to young readers because he has the same type of imagination. Do you agree? Use the adventures of Johnny Dixon and Johnny's own view of himself, his family, and his schoolmates in your discussion.

2. Professor Childermass is a college professor, yet he seems to understand the mind of a young person like Johnny almost as though he is a child himself.

Does Professor Childermass show qualities that would make him a successful teacher in your own school? If so, what are they?

3. There are elements of the supernatural in the story. Would the fact that a reader did not believe in ghosts make the story so unbelievable that there would be no point in reading it? Would it have been a better story if there were no ghosts or magic figurines?

4. For...