Questions for Teens
Crossing the Tracks
- How would you describe Dot’s options regarding her pregnancy and her father?
- What would you have done if you were Iris and saw someone in Dot’s circumstance?
- What issues in the current day are similar to the issues in the story?
- How would the story have been different if Iris had had friends to talk to?
- What would be the hardest things about moving away from home like Iris did?
- How did the Nesbitts show their compassion, open mindedness, non-judgement, acceptance of people and life?
- How would you have managed someone like Celeste? What was Celeste after?
- If she had not thrown an egg, what might Iris have done to stop Dot’s bullying.
- What was your favorite moment in the book? Least favorite moment?
- What tracks do you imagine need crossing in your own life?
- How did hardships help Iris grow stronger?
- What does it mean that Iris had lots of walls and rooms and doors inside her — even a cellar?
- People in the story talk to the dead – why? What does this accomplish for them? Who talks to whom on the other side?