Waiting for the Magic

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to the book’s blending of everyday family drama with the magical element of talking animals? What made this combination feel effective or perhaps challenging for you as a reader?

2. Patricia MacLachlan is well known for her Newbery Medal-winning novel Sarah, Plain and Tall, which also explores themes of family and loss. If you’ve read it, how did your experience with Waiting for the Magic compare? What similarities did you notice in her spare, lyrical writing style or her approach to telling heartfelt family stories?

3. What was your initial impression of Papa’s decision to leave, and did your feelings about him change by the end of the story?

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

1. The novel portrays animal companionship as a source of healing and stability in times of crisis. Think about an animal that has played a significant role in your life or the life of someone you know. What unique qualities do pets and other animals offer that can be especially comforting during difficult periods?

2. Mama establishes “serious talks” at the breakfast table to address difficult topics, but these conversations are often strained. What role do formal or informal family rituals play when it comes to communication in your own life?

3. Gran suggests that one must be young, old, or brave to access magic. Which of these qualities do you think is most important for being open to the wonders of the world? Why do you think William has to become “brave” before he can hear the animals?

4. Papa leaves home on a misguided quest for creative “magic,” only to find that it was within his family all along. Can you think of a time when you may have looked for inspiration or a solution to a problem far away, only to discover that it was much closer than you thought?

5. William feels the weight of becoming the “grown-up” after his father leaves, trying to protect his mother and sister. Have you ever felt the need to take on a supportive role for others during a challenging time?

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

1. The story offers a sensitive look at parental separation from a child’s point of view, touching on feelings of anger, confusion, and responsibility. In what ways does the book’s portrayal align with or differ from other stories you’ve encountered about family separation?

2. The family that forms after Papa leaves is unconventional, with five animals becoming central members who provide emotional support and protection. How does this redefined family challenge or expand on traditional ideas of what a family is supposed to look like? What does the novel suggest is most essential for a family to be strong and healthy?

3. What does the novel suggest about the different ways children and adults process grief and change? How do Elinor’s direct questions and William’s protective silence reflect common childhood responses to family turmoil?

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

1. Although MacLachlan’s novel addresses the serious topic of parental separation and the impact on families, especially children, she sometimes invokes a humorous or light-hearted tone. How does this tone contribute to the characters’ growth or the novel’s main themes?

2. Max and Mavis, friends of William and Elinor, respectively, are minor characters in the novel. Analyze when they appear and how they impact other characters. What are their roles in the narrative?

3. Fabulism in children’s literature often uses fantastical elements to explore deep emotional truths, as seen in classics like E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web or more modern stories like Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan. How does the use of talking animals in Waiting for the Magic compare to their use in other stories that you may have read?

4. Papa’s journey toward redemption is central to the novel. What specific moments best illustrate this transformation? 

5. How does MacLachlan’s economical writing style contribute to the book’s emotional weight, particularly when dealing with complex feelings like grief and forgiveness?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The animals are described as Papa’s “muse,” inspiring him to write. If you were to create a small piece of art inspired by one of the animal characters, which animal would you choose? What specific feeling or idea about that character would you want to capture in your work?

2. Imagine that you’re adding a new chapter to the book, set one year after the story ends. What would a typical evening look like for this expanded family, including William, Elinor, their parents, baby Nicholas, and all five dogs?

3. If you were asked to design a book cover that captures the heart of the story, what key image or symbol would you feature? Describe what your cover would look like and why it represents the novel’s central themes.