Reading Guide for The Secret of Shabaz

1. Tanya is a stablehand and works hard both inside and outside the castle. How did that make her different from the two girls she grew up with, Melflouise and Addlenette? In what ways is she better off? In what ways is she worse off?

2. She has the gift of sight. Have you heard of that before? In what ways does it manifest itself?

3. When she hears that her real father is the Dark Lord, how does she react? How would you react? Does her decision to make redemption for his acts ring true?

4. Her grandfather gives her a magic talisman. How does she use it? What would you have done with it?

5. Her decision to go to war is made in haste. When Wander persuades her to wait, is he right or wrong? What about Shabaz? Why do you think he agreed to accompany Tania to war?

6. Wander and Shabaz have kept many secrets from Tanya to protect her as she grew up. Should they have told her earlier? Should adults keep secrets from children? How far should they go to protect the ones they love from the truth?

7. Tania proves to be resilient and optimistic, even in trying times. She accepts her punishment for destroying the captain’s tent without flinching, and she works even harder in the army camp than she did at home. Do you admire her for her grit, or think that she should have acted in another way?

8. She has another vision in the forest and sees her mother and father. At this point in the story, what do you feel about her father?

9. She and Lysom are friends, but they are very different. In what way is this good? In what ways do they compliment each other? Is the sword fight a good idea? When Lysom insists on using real swords and Tania goes along with it, were you surprised? Was the outcome what you expected?

10. Tania grew up without parents but with a father-figure, Wander Birchspring. Wander is a good balance for Tania, being prudent and thoughtful. Tania seems to take him for granted. But then she finds out the sacrifice he made in order to care for her. Does this change her attitude toward him? Would you be willing to sacrifice something precious for another person? Has anyone ever sacrificed anything for you?

11. Tania finds out the truth about her parents. This changes her deeply and makes her more vulnerable. Can you understand why? Lord Yalinka is evil - but was he always evil? What changed him? Do you see how people changed in this book? Why did some change for the better, while others became evil?

12. Sacrifice and redemption are recurring themes in this story. At one point, Tania refuses to have anyone else sacrifice for her. Is her decision surprising?

13. The ending is satisfying for most of the characters. But one still has to regain what he has lost—Wander Birchspring. Do you think he will try? Or will he be content with what he has? Try to imagine a sequel in which Wander goes seeking what he has sacrificed for Tania. Where would he go to find it?

14. All the characters are distinct and have different traits. Tania is impulsive and loyal, Shabaz is wise and brave. Wander is prudent and thoughtful. But some of the characters have changed through the story. How would you describe Lysom at the beginning of the book and at the end? How does Tania change? What about Sir Renegal? Did your feelings for him change from the book’s beginning?

15. In Tania’s world, the orcs and the elves are distant cousins yet fought a bitter war that has lasted centuries. Can you think of a parallel here in our world? When they came together to fight a common foe, was that surprising to you? Would a terrible danger from outside finally unite the people on earth? What do you hope would happen in that case?

16. The war nearly destroyed Tania’s world. How can people who have lived through a war rebuild their lives? Is compassion important? How important are co-operation and selflessness in the aftermath of a terrible destruction?

17. Project into the future. Does Captain Sebring return to see his father? Do elves and orcs continue to live in peace? Do Wander and Shabaz go looking for Wander’s lost youth? Will Tania ever see her parents again? And what happens to the spell book? Will it finally be destroyed?

 Vocabulary:

Dilapidated

Festoon

Moat

Mote

Bicker

Vied (to vie)

Plastron

Levitate

Abscond

Marauder

Sow

Addled

Impervious

Parched

Ablution

Pallet

Travois

Redemption