Independent Publisher
Book Awards
2001 Finalist
Young Adult
Multi-Cultural Fiction

$14.95

Vicki Hessel Werkley

1. What was Carrie's life on the prairie like before her kidnap? Were there aspects of Carrie's new life with the Comanche that were better than the life she left behind? What aspects was Carrie unable to accept? How did she handle this?
   
   
2. Why didn't Carrie try to escape once she was captured? How did the reasons change as time went by? Was she "brainwashed" to stay? Was she being practical because her chances for survival alone in the wild were slim? What other factors influenced her?
   
   
3. Carrie is forced to live in a situation where other people have power over her. Do modern teenagers ever live in similar circumstances? Do women in our society ever give up their power? What could they learn from Carrie?
   
   
4. Do you believe in fate? Or do you believe fate can be overcome? Was Danny destined to be with Carrie? Or do you think the prophetic dreams Carrie and Blackhorse had, meant they should be destined for each other?
   
   
5. Did you learn anything new about Comanche culture? What one thing intrigued/surprised/entertained you the most? What aspects of Native American culture and tradition could be valuable in modern life?
   
   
6. In 1874, what was the role of women in Comanche tribal life? What was the role of women in Euro-American frontier life? In which culture were women more valued? How were these values expressed differently in each culture?
   
   
7. Carrie was raised in a Protestant religion, but was then exposed to a new form of spiritual worship. Did her spiritual sense expand as a result of her experience? Does spiritual awareness help us with adversity?
   
   
8. How does a person tell whether the inner voice they're trusting is truly their own inner voice, or some form of "wishful thinking" or external influence?
   
   
9. As a former educator with the Mendocino Unified School District, Vicki Werkley was trained in both academics and psychology. How might her teaching background have influenced her as a novelist?
   
   
10. Why is this book called Girl-On-Fire? Does this refer only to the name given to Carrie by the Comanche? Or does it have metaphorical significance as well?

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