Wolf Hollow

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Wolf Hollow takes place in the mid-20th century during World War II.

• In what ways do Wolk’s female characters subvert mid-20th-century gender norms? (topic sentence)
• Provide three examples from the novel in which one or more of the female characters subvert traditional gender norms.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why you believe Wolk chose to portray females in this way.

2. Toby is considered a wanderer by the community of Wolf Hollow.

• What is the significance of wanderers and the act of wandering in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain why there are wanderers that pass through Wolf Hollow and the attitudes the community has toward wanderers in the novel.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why understanding community attitudes toward wanderers is important to the plot of the novel.

3. Wolf Hollow is set during World War II just after the Great Depression.

• What is the impact of World War II and the Great Depression on Wolf Hollow? (topic sentence)
• Provide three examples of ways in which World War II and the Great Depression has had an impact on the Wolf Hollow community.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why the setting is important to the development of the narrative.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Annabelle is the protagonist and Betty is the antagonist in Wolf Hollow. Consider the character traits the girls have that are similar. Describe three ways in which Betty and Annabelle are alike and explain why the author gave them similar personality traits. Provide supporting details from the text to justify your response.

2. Several scenes in the novel happen by accident or chance. Think about the incidents that occur by chance and describe one instance in which fate played a hand in the outcome of Wolf Hollow. Then describe the way in which Annabelle learns to cope with the unexplained. Use specific quotes from the novel to support your response.

3. Toby and Annabelle become close friends despite a significant age difference. Consider the ways Wolk treats boundaries between childhood and adulthood. Discuss in two to three paragraphs how the portrayal of relationships between adults and children is different in Annabelle’s world than it is today. Validate your answer by referencing specific evidence found in the novel.