Sing Down the Moon

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 23 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, what do you learn about Bright Morning, her family, and the land where she lives? How does the setting help you understand what matters to her?
2. In Chapter 2, Bright Morning and Running Bird face danger while caring for the sheep. What warning signs do they notice, and how do they respond?
3. In Chapter 3, how does Bright Morning show courage after she is captured? Use details from the chapter to explain your answer.
4. In Chapter 4, Bright Morning meets other people who have also been taken from their homes. How do these characters help her understand her situation?
5. In Chapter 5, what does the word “captives” mean in this chapter? How does knowing this word help you understand Bright Morning’s feelings?
6. In Chapter 6, Bright Morning has to decide whom she can trust. What clues does she use to make her choice?
7. In Chapter 7, Bright Morning thinks about escaping. What risks would she have to take, and what do you predict will happen next?
8. In Chapter 8, how does Bright Morning’s return affect her family and her village? What emotions do people show?
9. In Chapter 9, Tall Boy becomes important in Bright Morning’s life. What kind of person does he seem to be, and what details support your thinking?
10. In Chapter 10, Bright Morning notices changes in the world around her people. What changes seem most serious, and why?
11. In Chapter 11, the Navajo people must make hard choices to protect themselves. What choice would you have made in their place, and why?
12. In Chapter 12, what does “surrender” mean in this part of the story? Why is surrender such a painful choice for Bright Morning’s people?
13. In Chapter 13, the Long Walk begins. What hardships do Bright Morning and the others face on the journey?
14. In Chapter 14, how does Bright Morning show strength even when she is tired, hungry, or afraid?
15. In Chapter 15, compare Fort Sumner with Bright Morning’s home. How are the two places different in the way they look, feel, or affect the people?
16. In Chapter 16, what problems make life at Fort Sumner difficult for the Navajo people? Which problem seems the worst to you, and why?
17. In Chapter 17, Tall Boy struggles with how others see him and how he sees himself. What does this chapter show about pride and self-worth?
18. In Chapter 18, Bright Morning keeps caring for the people she loves. What does this show about her character?
19. In Chapter 19, Bright Morning and Tall Boy think about leaving. What dangers might they face if they try to escape, and what hopes might push them forward?
20. In Chapter 20, how do the characters use courage, planning, or luck during their escape? Give at least two details from the chapter.
21. In Chapter 21, the journey home is difficult. What does the word “endurance” mean, and how do the characters show endurance?
22. In Chapter 22, Bright Morning returns to a place that has changed. How does she react to what has been lost and what can still be rebuilt?
23. In Chapter 23, what message or theme do you think Scott O’Dell wants readers to remember from Bright Morning’s story? Explain your thinking with details from the ending.

Example answers

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

In Chapter 3, how does Bright Morning show courage after she is captured? Use details from the chapter to explain your answer.

I think Bright Morning shows courage because she does not give up, even when she is scared. She pays attention to what is happening around her and keeps thinking about her home. Instead of only crying or panicking, she tries to stay strong for herself and the others. That makes me see her as brave, not because she is never afraid, but because she keeps going anyway.

In Chapter 15, compare Fort Sumner with Bright Morning’s home. How are the two places different in the way they look, feel, or affect the people?

Fort Sumner feels dry, crowded, and unhappy compared with Bright Morning’s home. Her home has sheep, family, familiar places, and a feeling of freedom. At the fort, the people do not have what they need, and they cannot live the way they used to. I think the difference shows why home is so important to Bright Morning.

In Chapter 23, what message or theme do you think Scott O’Dell wants readers to remember from Bright Morning’s story? Explain your thinking with details from the ending.

I think one theme is that people can survive terrible hardships when they hold on to hope and family. Bright Morning loses many things, but she still wants to rebuild her life. The ending made me feel that her people’s strength is more powerful than the people who tried to take their home away. I think the author wants readers to remember their courage and not forget what happened to them.