READERS GUIDE
Reader’s GuideHeart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher
Discussion Questions:
1. Stella and Huck meet by chance on the other side of the world, and both wonder at times if fate brought them together. Do you believe in fate?
2. Stella chases the treasure that drove her family apart. Why do you think she does that? Have you ever focused on a goal to prove something to yourself or others?
3. Huck hurt Stella and hid the truth from her about why he left. Do you think what he did was understandable, and he deserves forgiveness? Have you ever kept a secret to protect someone else, even at great cost to yourself?
4. Heart Marks the Spot is told in two distinct parts—a past and a present. Why do you think the author chose to structure the story this way, and what did you think about this choice?
5. Stella, Zoe, Teddy, and Gus keep taking their summer trips even though they haven’t found a major treasure. Why do you think they stick together and keep trying after all these years? What do you think makes friendships last?
6. Huck’s latest book was clearly inspired by Stella and used as a way to express his feelings and explain why he left. How do you feel about Huck’s approach, and why?
7. Teddy and Stella have a special but complex relationship. What do you think about their dynamic? Have you ever had a friendship where the lines were blurred?
8. Huck struggles with feelings of inadequacy and failure, both in his personal and professional life. How do you think they influenced his
relationship with Stella and the choices he made during both phases of their relationship?
9. Zoe and Gus have their own roles and relationship happening in the story. Do you think they were good role models for Stella and Huck? Why or why not?
10. At its core, Heart Marks the Spot is about hope even in the face of heartache and disappointment. Were you able to relate to elements of Stella’s story? Do you believe that happy endings are possible?
