Why do the Freebold children want to go to America? What is their view of the “New World,” and how do their viewpoints compare and contrast with those of other characters? How does the novel’s depiction of immigration and colonial life compare to history?

What obstacles do Amanda, Jemmy, and Meg encounter as they journey to Virginia? How do these experiences shape their characters?

How does the lion’s head door knocker function throughout the novel’s narrative? Why might Bulla have chosen this particular symbol—what significance do door knockers and lions hold? How does this symbol compare to other depictions of and ideas about lions in culture?