READERS GUIDE

Reader’s Guide
Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra
Discussion Questions:


1.   Have you read the Anne of Green Gables books? Seen the 1985 miniseries or the newer Netflix series? How do the characters in Anne of a Different Island feel the same or different from the characters you are familiar with?

2.   Anne relates to Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables so much that she gets a tattoo of an Anne Shirley quote on her arm. Have you ever identified strongly with a fictional character (from either a book or a movie)? Did their example inspire, guide, or misguide you in any way?

3.   “I can’t imagine my life without you,” Anne says to Beverly Powell. “I wouldn’t be a teacher if it weren’t for you.” Was there a teacher in
your life who had a major impact on you? What do you remember most about them?

4.   Why do you think Anne fell in love with Chris? How do you feel about the progress of their relationship? How is her relationship with Joe
different?

5.   After Anne’s father dies, she struggles to feel closer to her mother. Can you relate to identifying with one parent / parental figure? How does Anne’s perception of her mother change over the course of the story?

6.   Anne argues, “Stories that make you uncomfortable are the stories that make you think. Isn’t that what schools are supposed to do?” What
do you think of Anne’s position and the way she handles the issue of her classroom library?

7.   When Anne realizes that, like Joe’s sister, Hailey, she, too, might have ADHD, Joe tells her the discovery does not change her, that she is
still herself. Do you agree? How do you feel about the way ADHD is presented in the story?

8.   Anne’s path in life takes several unexpected turns. “Once I’d imagined my future stretching out in an unbroken line to the horizon. But I didn’t need to see the whole path shining in front of me anymore. All I needed was to take the next step.” Have you faced similar events in
your own life? How did you respond?

9.   Faced with a choice of going back to Chicago and her life there or staying on Mackinac Island, Anne chooses the island. Do you think she made the right choice?