Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did McGovern’s storytelling style affect your view of Deborah Sampson? Which aspects of the book made it feel more like an adventure story, a historical biography, or a combination of the two?

2. Other stories also feature women or girls disguising themselves as men, such as Tamora Pierce’s Alanna: The First Adventure (1983). How does Deborah’s real-life story compare to fictional portrayals you might have read?

3. What was the most memorable or surprising part of Deborah’s journey for you? Was it her efforts to educate herself in the Thomas household, her decision to remove the musket ball from her own leg, or her later career as a public speaker?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Deborah’s drive for knowledge is a central part of her early life, leading her to continue learning independently when she’s unable to attend school. Think about a time when you were passionate about learning a skill or topic outside of any formal requirement. What motivated you, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?

2. What did you think about Deborah’s ultimate decision to enlist? How did her desire for adventure and the restrictions she faces as a woman shape your response to her choice?

3. The book highlights Deborah’s restlessness even after she settles into life as a wife and mother. Have you ever felt a similar tension between a desire for new experiences and the comforts or responsibilities of your daily life?

4. Deborah fears being discovered and often keeps to herself while serving with her fellow soldiers. Think about a time when you felt you couldn’t be your full self in a particular situation. How did that experience impact your sense of connection with others?

5. Deborah receives help at several important points in her life, from the minister who helps her leave Mrs. Thatcher’s household to Dr. Binney, who keeps her identity secret after discovering it. Think about a time when someone’s support gave you greater freedom to make your own choices. How did it affect you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Secret Soldier was published in 1975, amid public debate about women’s rights and as the United States approached its bicentennial. How does this context affect your reading of McGovern’s portrayal of Deborah’s independence?

2. Deborah spent years seeking financial recognition for her military service, and Paul Revere later supported her pension claim. What does her experience suggest about the barriers a woman could face in seeking official recognition for military service?

3. The narrative details the legal and social restrictions on women in the 18th century. How have these barriers changed since Deborah’s time, and which challenges still resonate today?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. McGovern frequently presents Deborah’s thoughts and feelings as part of the narrative. How does this approach affect the way readers understand Deborah as a historical figure?

2. What does Deborah’s commitment to writing in her diary, especially her system of tracking “her good and her bad thoughts and deeds” (13), reveal about her attitude toward herself and her actions?

3. Deborah wears men’s clothing in the army and later wears her old uniform while giving public lectures. How does the significance of her military clothing change over the course of the book?

4. Dr. Binney discovers Deborah’s secret, while General Paterson later learns of it. How do their responses affect the way her military story comes to an end?

5. Deborah removes the musket ball from her own leg instead of allowing a doctor to treat the wound. What does this scene reveal about the consequences of keeping her identity secret?

6. McGovern focuses on Deborah’s personal journey against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War. How does this focus shape your understanding of the war and the people who experienced it?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were adapting The Secret Soldier into a film, which part of Deborah’s life would you make the central focus: her early life, her time in the army, or her later career as a lecturer? What would be the biggest challenge in bringing her story to the screen?

2. Imagine you’re curating a small museum exhibit about Deborah’s life. What three objects would you choose to represent the core of her story, and what would each one signify about her journey?

3. Deborah recounts her military experiences and speaks against war during her public lectures. Imagine you’re writing the opening of one of these talks. What first line would you give her to capture the audience’s attention?