1.The Kentucky Star Motel, where Rob and his father live, has a sign in the shape of Kentucky. How did the motel get its name? Given the location of the story, why is this name odd? What is the significance of the star?
2.Throughout most of the story, how does Rob cope with things he can't change?
3.What makes the three Monger brothers bully Rob? How does Rob deal with their threats and abuse?
4.Sistine, the new girl in school, was named after the Sistine Chapel. In what ways is she like or different from this famous landmark? What hope does she offer Rob, based on his knowledge of the Sistine Chapel itself?
5.How does whittling help Rob cope with life in Lister? Name some of the objects he whittles. What is their significance?
6.Why is Rob asked to leave school? Do you think the principal's reasons are fair? What is Rob's reaction?
7.Sistine and Rob handle problems and situations in opposite ways. Which way is better?
8.What is the rash on Rob's legs? What do you think is the cure for his rash? What makes his rash worse? Better?
9.Considering Rob's artistic talent and Sistine's name, what parallel has the author drawn between these two characters?
10.How does owning a tiger make Beauchamp feel? What is the significance of the tiger's cage for Sistine? Rob?
11.What are some of Rob's feelings that begin to surface with Sistine's help and friendship? How does Sistine help Rob deal with his grief?
12.When Willie May doesn't agree with Rob and Sistine's plans to let the tiger go, does she let them down? Why or why not? When Willie May says, "sometimes right don't count," what does she mean?
13.What happens at the end of the story that allows Rob to "open the suitcase"?
14.What part does the weather play in the story?
15.Name some of the emotions that permeate this story and to whom are they attributed?
Story Extensions
Coming to terms: Explain the meaning of these words, which are used in THE TIGER RISING: emancipators, prophetess, aspire, symmetry, frescoes, contagious
What do the following symbolize in THE TIGER RISING? The tiger's cage; the tiger; the name of the motel; the weather; Sistine's name in conjunction with Rob; Rob's hobby in conjunction with Sistine.
Topics related to THE TIGER RISING that may be interesting to research: Circus animals, endangered animals, mistreatment of animals, the Sistine Chapel, the name of the author who wrote the poem that begins "Tiger, tiger, burning bright, in the forest of the night . . ."
These discussion questions and story extensions were provided by Kit Vaughan, central cataloguer / acquisitions librarian for Chesterfield County Public School, Virginia, and a reviewer for SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL.
Name ______Reading
Date ______
The Tiger Rising Questions,
Ch. 1-7
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. This story takes place in and around a motel in Lister, Florida. Describe the setting and what Rob Horton and his father are doing there.
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2. Does Rob think things through? How does he do this?
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3. Does his way of thinking affect his actions toward his father, the Threemonger brothers, and his school situation? How?
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4. Where was Rob’s first meeting with Sistine? What happened during this first meeting?
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5. Why was the discovery of the caged tiger so extraordinary to Rob? How did its discovery help him at the beginning of the story?
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6. It is clear from the beginning of the story that Rob doesn’t relate to other kids in or out of school. Why do you think “words fall out of his mouth” when he is with Sistine?
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7. Why do you think that he and Sistine are able to become friends?
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8. What do you think Rob is going to do with the tiger? Do you think he will keep it a secret? Why or why not?
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8. When Rob first tells Sistine about the tiger, her answer is “Where?” Rob feels that
he picked the right person to tell about the tiger. What do you think Sistine’s
answer reveals about her?
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9. Think about the actions of the bus driver, Mr. Nelson, the school principal, Mr.
Philter, and the owner of the motel, Beauchamp. Did they act as responsible
adults toward Rob? Explain.
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10. Rob asks Willie May if she thought it was bad to keep animals locked up. What
was her opinion? Would you agree or disagree? Why?
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11. In what ways does Willie May play a key role in the lives of Rob and Sistine?
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12. Rob changes greatly from the beginning of the story to the end. Give three
specific examples of those changes.
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13. Did the tiger have to be killed? If so, why or why not?
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14. When Rob looks at his father’s hands, he calls them “complicated hands.” What
does he mean by this? Do you think most parents’ hands are complicated?
Explain.
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15. If you asked Rob at the end of the story what happiness is, how would he answer
you?
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16. Would you say that The Tiger Rising is an appropriate title for this story? Why or
why not?
Note: The following questions are keyed to Bloom’s Taxonomy as follows: Knowledge: 1-3;
Comprehension: 4-6: Application: 7-8; Analysis: 9-10; Synthesis: 11-12; Evaluation: 13-14.
Activities
1. Sistine says that looking at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is like looking at
fireworks. What in your life makes you think of fireworks? It might be a
painting, an object, a scene in nature, or an event. Share your thoughts with
classmates by giving an oral written description, or showing a drawing or
photograph.
2. The tiger is a strong, beautiful animal that is endangered. Find out more about
tigers and the efforts to save them. Create a poster about this powerful animal.