A Reading Group Guide to

Half Upon a Time

By James Riley

 

Discussion Questions

1. Half Upon a Time is full of references to fairy tales and classic stories. How many traditional characters and elements can you identify and name? In what ways do they add humor to the story? In what ways do they influence your expectations of the plot, conflict, and characters?

2. How does the symbolism in the story affect what you’re reading it? For example, if the Wolf King were the Sheep King, how would you expect his character and motives to be different? If the Black Forest were the Orange Forest, would it still be as threatening?

3. At one point when things aren’t going well, May tells Jack, “This isn’t how fairy tales work.” How do fairy tales work? Is it fair to always expect there to be a “happily ever after?” How do you feel when you read or watch a story without a happy ending? Can you name a satisfying story that has an unhappy ending?

4. From the beginning of Chapter 30, “The ride to Malevolent’s castle combined at least three of Jack’s top ten least favorite things.” Name your top ten least favorite things, and ask a few friends for their lists. Do you have any common dislikes? Why is it important for a story to show both a character’s strengths and weaknesses?

5. May tells Jack that “Heroes always know they’re right and always know what to do. They never have any doubts.” Do you believe this? Can you give examples from this book or others to prove, or disprove, this idea? Do you think Jack is a hero? Is Phillip? 

6. Jack tells Eudora that he has “some magical stuff” but that he can’t actually do magic. What’s the difference? Do you think it’s better to know how to make magic or have a magical object? Why? Which magical object from the story would you like to command? Would it be more useful to have a knife that can cut anything except people, or a genie that could grant wishes?

7. The Wolf King can transform into human shape. Is this a power you find appealing? Which animal(s) would you like to be able to change into? Can you name other stories with shape-shifters? At which points in the story would it have been helpful for Jack and May to have this power?

8. The Magic Mirror is the powerful object at the center of the story. Discuss the symbolism of mirrors: reflection, seeing clearly, vanity, etc. Why do you think it’s considered bad luck to break a mirror? What do you think it means when Merriweather and the genie are imprisoned in the mirror?

9. May gives up her sarcasm to the imp in exchange for Jack’s freedom. How is her dialogue different without the sarcasm? Do you like her better? Is she less funny? Why is it funny when someone makes a sarcastic comment? Would you be able to talk without your sarcasm? What would you be willing to give up in order to save a friend?

10. Grandpa tells Jack that his curiosity “might just get you into some trouble someday.” Do you think that curiosity is a blessing or a curse? What are the dangers of being too curious?

11. Do you think that someone as evil as the Wicked Queen could really love her granddaughter? Can bad people have good feelings or do good things? Is the opposite true? Do good people sometimes do bad things? Can a truly evil person be reformed? How might that come about?

12. Were you surprised to find out that May’s grandmother was the Wicked Queen? How does it feel to find out someone is not who you thought they were? How does May feel? How might this kind of surprise add depth to the story?

13. There’s a tremendous amount of action in this story. Do you think it would make a good movie? Would you imagine it as an animated movie or a live-action film with special effects? Is there anything missing from the book that would make it a better movie? Is there anything in the book that you wouldn’t include in a movie version?

14. The knight tells Jack that the sword has the possibility for evil, but that it “can be used for great good, in the hands of the right person.” How do we know that Jack is the right person, especially when his father was a thief? When Jack says, “We’re going to win because we’re good, decent people trying to accomplish something noble,” do you believe him? Do they deserve to win because they are good and brave?

15. Why do you think the title of the book is Half Upon a Time? Can you suggest some alternate titles? The book’s sequel is called Twice Upon a Time. Does that give you any clues about the plot? What do you think will happen in the next book? Will Jack and May’s relationship get better or worse? Will things they’ve learned in the first book help them do a better job next time?

 

Guide written by Bobbie Combs, a consultant at We Love Children's Books.

This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.