Explain the gift that the Lord of Rain Mountain gives to Mactun. Is it a good gift? A bad one? What do you think the moral of this story is?

1) What preconceived notions does Fare have about mermaids?

2) What preconceived notions does Neesha have about humans?

3) Does Fare's opinion of mermaids change by the end of the story? Why or why not?

4) Does Neesha's opinion of humans change by the end of the story? Why or why not?

Eli dreams of being a soldier, but he knows his parents will be upset by his dream. Why does Eli's encounter with Yevgeny change how he feels about being a soldier for Russia? What do the soldier's comments tell the reader about how Jews are viewed in Russia during this time?

1) Why did Ada's mother petrify her daughter's heart?

2) How does Ada break the spell?

3) What...