Willa of the Wood

How does the novel deal with the idea of “land ownership,” particularly with the territorial and violent conflicts between both the real Indigenous Cherokee and the white colonial groups and the fictional, fantastical Faeran?

Is the ending to Willa’s narrative hopeful, tragic, or both? Does the novel treat her loss of her entire culture and people as a good thing or a bad thing for her personally? Use specific examples in your answer.

How does the novel address the concept and experience of childhood? How does the novel portray the ways adults can either corrupt or preserve children’s safety and security?

How would the novel differ if it were written about a historical Indigenous girl rather than a young girl from a fantasy species? What are the strengths and limitations of using a fantasy species instead of a historical human group?

What is the role of technology in the novel? How does the novel depict it both as a force for good or evil, depending on its purpose and use?

How does the novel examine issues of power dynamics and the dilemma of conformity through Willa’s experiences with the Faeran? What does the novel suggest about the nature of agency and resistance?

How does the novel portray the forest in comparison to other children’s novels, like Hatchet or Julie of the Wolves? How are these texts different or similar in how they depict the forest’s significance in their narratives?

What are some examples of how Willa is a strong female character with agency? How is Willa’s gender important to the development of the themes and ideas within the novel?