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Back Lyddie
Chapters (36)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Books by Katherine Paterson
  4. Dedication
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
  14. 10
  15. 11
  16. 12
  17. 13
  18. 14
  19. 15
  20. 16
  21. 17
  22. 18
  23. 19
  24. 20
  25. 21
  26. 22
  27. 23
  28. Acknowledgments
  29. Dear Reader
  30. Pre-reading Activities
  31. Week One (Chapters 1–6)
  32. Week Two (Chapters 7–12)
  33. Week Three (Chapters 13–18)
  34. Week Four (Chapters 19–23)
  35. Post-reading Activities
  36. What’s next onyour reading list?

Using the Internet or your library, research textile mills in the nineteenth century. What were some of the machines used for? What were the conditions like?

On this page, Lyddie’s new friends express disapproval of her plans to spend time with Diana. What can you infer from their behavior?

Reporters who expose dangerous or dirty working conditions, among other stories, are known as “muckrakers.” Why do you think this term makes sense?

Pretend you are a muckraker reporting on the conditions of the mill. Write an article revealing what you have found.

Lyddie teaches herself to read by copying Oliver Twist by hand. Oliver Twist was written by Charles Dickens and published in 1838. It tells the story of a resilient orphan who endures a difficult existence in a workhouse and, later, life on the streets. Oliver Twist explores the themes of poverty and child labor. Why do you think the author chose this novel for Lyddie to copy? Create a Venn diagram, labeling one section “Lyddie” and the other “Oliver Twist.” List as many similarities and differences as you can between the two books.

Lyddie has been called “an Oliver Twist for girls.” Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

Common Core State Standards: RL.6.1, RL.6.9, W.6.4, W.6.7

Week Three (Chapters 13–18)

Week Three (Chapters 13–18):

The setting of a book includes both the time period and place in which a story occurs. How does the setting of this novel affect the story? How would Lyddie be different if it took place in modern times?

When Lyddie gets hurt, Diana takes care of her. Do you think that she is just being a good friend, or do you think she may have an ulterior motive?

Lyddie’s friend Betsy works to put her brother through college. Compare how Betsy feels about that with how Lyddie feels about supporting her family.

Lyddie, who once gave a stranger all the money she had, is finding it difficult to share her earnings with her mother. Why do you think that is? How has she changed since the beginning of the book?

“Dear Abby” is an advice column published in many newspapers today. Pretend that you are Lyddie and write a letter to Abby, asking for advice on how to solve your problems. Then trade letters with a friend and respond to each other’s letters.

Since Lyddie stared down the bear in the first chapter, she has used the idea of the incident to prove her own strength to herself. However, at the end of Chapter 15, the bear appears in her dream and then changes into a buck that Lyddie cannot stare down. What does the bear represent to Lyddie?

In Chapter 18, the author shows you how Lyddie feels, instead of just telling you. List the quotes that help you visualize the pain she feels at having to send Rachel away.

Common Core State Standards: RL.5.3, RL.5.6, RL.6.4, RL.7.3, W.6.2, W.6.3, W.6.4

Week Four (Chapters 19–23)

Week Four (Chapters 19–23):