All the Impossible Things

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 45 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: What do you learn about Red in the first chapter? Describe what seems most important to her and what worries her.
2. Chapter 2: How does the author begin to show that some things in Red’s life feel “impossible”? Use details from the chapter.
3. Chapter 3: Why does Red seem unsure about her new foster placement? What clues show how she is feeling?
4. Chapter 4: Choose one interesting word or phrase from this chapter. What does it mean, and how does it help you picture the scene or understand Red?
5. Chapter 5: What do you predict will happen as Red spends more time in this new place? Explain what makes you think that.
6. Chapter 6: How do the adults in this chapter show what kind of people they are? Give one example from their actions or words.
7. Chapter 7: What does Red’s reaction to the animals tell you about her personality? How do the animals affect her mood?
8. Chapter 8: What problem or conflict starts to become more important in this chapter? Why do you think it matters to the story?
9. Chapter 9: How is the wind connected to Red’s emotions in this chapter? What does this connection help you understand about her?
10. Chapter 10: Do you think Red is right to keep some of her feelings hidden? Why or why not?
11. Chapter 11: What does Red want from her mother? How does that hope affect the choices Red makes?
12. Chapter 12: How does the setting in this chapter change the mood of the story? Describe one detail that helps create that mood.
13. Chapter 13: What small act of kindness happens in this chapter? Why might it be important to Red, even if she does not say so?
14. Chapter 14: The word “impossible” can mean different things. What seems impossible to Red in this chapter, and why?
15. Chapter 15: What do you predict Red might do next if she begins to trust someone? What evidence supports your prediction?
16. Chapter 16: How has Red changed from the beginning of the book to this chapter? Name one way she is the same and one way she is different.
17. Chapter 17: Red often feels pulled between her past and her present. How does this chapter show that struggle?
18. Chapter 18: What does this chapter teach about family? Can family mean more than one thing? Explain your thinking.
19. Chapter 19: How does an animal in this chapter help reveal something about Red or another character? Use details from the text.
20. Chapter 20: Which choice that Red makes in this chapter do you agree or disagree with? Explain your opinion.
21. Chapter 21: What unexpected news, discovery, or change happens in this chapter? How does Red respond to it?
22. Chapter 22: How do Red’s strong emotions affect the people around her in this chapter? What could she do differently?
23. Chapter 23: Find a word or phrase in this chapter that creates tension or worry. What does it make you expect might happen?
24. Chapter 24: What do you predict will happen if Red’s secret becomes harder to hide? Explain your reasons.
25. Chapter 25: How does one adult respond to Red in this chapter? Do you think the response is fair and helpful? Why?
26. Chapter 26: Where do you see hope in this chapter? Describe one moment that shows things might get better.
27. Chapter 27: What mistake does Red make in this chapter? What can she learn from it?
28. Chapter 28: What strengths does Red show, even when she is upset or afraid? Give an example from the chapter.
29. Chapter 29: How does the weather or wind act like a symbol in this chapter? What might it stand for?
30. Chapter 30: Do you think Red should forgive someone in this chapter? Why might forgiveness be hard for her?
31. Chapter 31: What important choice does Red face in this chapter? What are the possible results of that choice?
32. Chapter 32: How does trust change between Red and another character in this chapter? What causes that change?
33. Chapter 33: What does “belonging” mean in this chapter? How can you tell whether Red feels like she belongs or not?
34. Chapter 34: What do you predict will be Red’s biggest challenge before the story ends? Use evidence from recent chapters.
35. Chapter 35: What lesson does Red learn from caring for animals or watching others care for them?
36. Chapter 36: Compare two adults in Red’s life. How do they each help her, hurt her, or teach her something?
37. Chapter 37: What does this chapter suggest about things that seem impossible? Can impossible things change over time?
38. Chapter 38: How does a major event in this chapter change the way Red understands herself?
39. Chapter 39: When Red feels angry or scared, what would be the healthiest way for her to handle those feelings? Use this chapter to explain.
40. Chapter 40: What consequence happens because of a choice Red or another character made? Was the consequence expected or surprising?
41. Chapter 41: What does Red learn about love, trust, or safety in this chapter? How do you know?
42. Chapter 42: What do you predict will happen in the final chapters? What clues does the author give you?
43. Chapter 43: How does this chapter show that family can be chosen, found, or built? Use an example.
44. Chapter 44: How does this chapter connect to the title All the Impossible Things? What once seemed impossible that may now be possible?
45. Chapter 45: After finishing the book, what message do you think the author wants readers to remember? Explain using Red’s journey.

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 9: How is the wind connected to Red’s emotions in this chapter? What does this connection help you understand about her?

I think the wind shows what Red is feeling on the inside, even when she tries not to say it out loud. When she is scared or angry, the wind seems stronger and harder to control. This helps me understand that Red has big feelings that she cannot always explain. It also makes her seem powerful but lonely, because her emotions can push people away.

Chapter 18: What does this chapter teach about family? Can family mean more than one thing? Explain your thinking.

This chapter makes me think that family is not only the people you are born to. Family can also be the people who take care of you, listen to you, and keep trying even when things are hard. Red still cares about her mother, but she is also learning that other people can care about her too. I think the book shows that family can have more than one shape.

Chapter 44: How does this chapter connect to the title All the Impossible Things? What once seemed impossible that may now be possible?

This chapter connects to the title because Red has faced many things that felt impossible, like trusting others and finding a safe place to belong. Earlier, it seemed impossible for her to let people help her. Now it seems possible because she has grown and learned that she does not have to handle everything alone. I think the title means that impossible things can become possible little by little.