The Secret Library

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Eavesdropping on her parents in the past, Dally hears Kate tell Marcus, “true wealth comes from knowing who you are and figuring out how to make the most of it.” Talk with students about what Kate means by this and about what characters in The Secret Library did with such knowledge. 

Then talk about how family stories can help others understand how people's choices have shaped our history and still influence our lives today. Have them brainstorm names of adults important in their lives who they are curious to learn more about. Ask students to interview that person or someone who can share information about that person, having them particularly focus on the choices that person made in becoming who they are today. Students can then write and share their family stories to help them appreciate the wealth of knowledge provided by multiple viewpoints and celebrate themselves and their family stories for Read Across America.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. What was so special about Dally and Grandpa’s relationship? What does she miss most about Grandpa? How does she process her grief? How does Dally’s mother handle her own grief? What kind of example does that set for Dally?
2. Why is the Secret Library a secret? Why do you think that so much of Dally’s family history has been kept secret from her? How does learning these secrets change Dally? Have you ever learned someone else’s secret? What changed when you learned it? 
3. Why has so much of Dally’s family history been kept from her? What do you know about your own history? Did reading this book make you curious to find out more? What kind of courage does it take to look at the past? What adults in your life could you talk to about the past and family secrets? How does exploring the past help you consider your own future? 
4. If you could travel back in time, what year would you travel to? What would you want to learn from your trip? How would you interact with people from your present that you meet in the past?
5. How does The Secret Library explore the themes of identity and social justice? What did you learn about race and racism in the past and in the present from the book?

Related Resources

The Secret Library Discussion Guide from Candlewick
“Invitation to Imagine” activities from Kekla Magoon at TeachingBooks.net