Resources

Book Club Discussion Questions for the Seed Savers Book Series

Discussion Questions for Seed Savers-Treasure

(Best for kids ages 8-12)

1. At the beginning of the story, Lily questions Clare about why they should make their own food when the Trucks and Stores have what they need. When Clare responds that not everyone is as healthy as others, Lily says, “But that’s the way things are.” Have you ever used this rationale even when you thought something was wrong?

2. What is Clare’s personality like? How about Dante? Do you see any change for either of them throughout the story?

3. The children are able to plant two kinds of seeds discreetly on their own. Have you ever planted seeds? What were they? Discuss that experience.

4. Do you think Clare and Dante make the right decision when they find their home broken into and their mother in jail? What could they have done differently?

5. Clare and Dante live in a big city. The first time they are out in the country feels overwhelming to them. Where do you live? Have you ever been to a place so opposite from what you are used to that you find it overwhelming?

6. Why does Gruff say he is allowed to grow vegetables out in the open? Do you find this a credible explanation?

7. In the second part of the book, Clare and Dante make another big decision. This time it is Dante’s reasoning that they follow. Have you ever been surprised at the knowledge or wisdom of someone younger than yourself?

8. During their journey Clare and Dante find strength to move forward through their religious faith. How do you find strength when you face something difficult or that frightens you?

9. If gardening were forbidden, would you secretly grow or save seeds? Why?

10. Why is this book called Treasure? What do you think the message is?

11. Will you read book two, Seed Savers-Lily, next?

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Discussion Questions for Seed Savers-Lily

1. Seed Savers-Lily is written in a different POV than Seed Savers-Treasure. What is the point of view, and how does this affect you differently as a reader?

2. At the beginning of the story, Lily struggles with being left behind. Have you ever felt left behind when a friend moved away? How did you deal with it?

3. Lily hides her gardening activities from her mother. Why does she do this? Do you think she made the right decision in doing so?

4.What is your impression of Rose and how does it change throughout the book?

5. Learning about growing, cooking, and preserving food is an important theme in this story. Why is this important to the characters? Have you ever grown, cooked, or preserved fresh food?

6. One of the things Lily does to sort out her thoughts is write in a journal. Do you journal? What do you do to help you process things?

7. When Ana describes how to preserve through canning, Lily feels fearful. Ana responds, “Don’t be afraid, Lily. It isn’t so hard. It’s just a new thing to learn, like all new things.” What new thing have you considered doing that made you feel afraid?

8. What is your first impression of Arturo? What about Rose and Lily, how do their impressions of Arturo differ?

9. When Lily first sees Arturo’s yard/garden she is disappointed. Describe how her feelings about it change. Why do you think her impression of the yard changes?

10.Near the end of the book, Lily gets mad at Rose and refuses Rose’s plea for forgiveness. Do you think Lily made the right choice? What kind of repercussions might this have for the future?

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Discussion Questions for Seed Savers-Heirloom

1. Clare and Dante are considered “gardening refugees.” Explain what you think this means.
2. Why does Lily say “That summer, the one when it all began, was when Lily Gardener finally knew her name”?
3. When Lily first enters Florida, it isn’t what she expects. She muses “I felt a little foolish but was grateful for the reminder that there were a lot of things to learn in the world. That we need to seek out information on our own because the kind that comes to us easily might be incomplete and biased.” Can you think of an example of this?
4. When Clare questions why it’s important to save seeds if you can buy them from a catalogue, one of things Marissa says is that saved seeds are better because they are local to one’s particular area. Had you ever thought of that? Have you ever saved seeds and planted them the next year?
5. When Lily visits Meg and Aaron she learns that the rich and powerful are able to buy and eat fresh food. This makes her angry. Then she shows contempt that Aaron and Meg would be a part of such an unjust system. What is your opinion?
6. Discuss Lily’s journey to find her father from the time she left her home. Which parts made you afraid for her? Which parts made you smile?
7. Besides learning about gardening, Clare spends a lot of time learning the history of U.S. food politics. The historical part is actually true. What did you learn about farming in this country that you didn’t know before? Less than 1% of the population are farmers. Do you know a farmer?
8. In Heirloom, we meet a new character named Jason. What is the relationship between Clare and Jason like? What is your opinion of Jason?
9. Clare has a poetry assignment from school and finds inspiration in her garden. Where do you find inspiration for your creative endeavors? 
10. Why do you think the author named this book Heirloom?

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Discussion Questions for Seed Savers-Keeper

(Best for teens)

1. At the beginning of Keeper, Lily reflects on mannerisms she loves about her dad–his love of hummingbirds, the way he pronounces “windows,” etc., but she also admits they are “still just getting to know each other.” Can you relate to spending time with a close relative you feel you barely know? How does it feel? If you cannot relate, how do you think it might feel?

2. In Seed Savers-Keeper, Lily hears the story of the hummingbird. What is the story of the hummingbird and how does Lily relate this to her father?

3. Why does Trinia Nelson place Lily’s friend Rose with a wealthy couple and enroll her in youth FRND classes? Did you think the plan would work? Why or why not? 

4. While living in Whisper Creek Village, Lily experiences two cultures different than her own and learns new customs and also new skills. Have you had the opportunity to learn from other cultures?

5. Jason tells Clare, “There’s an entire generation still alive who remembers how it was before. They remember when Monitor access was open and free. Think of it, Clare, the ability to ask any question that pops into your head. Access to talk to people around the world.” You are that generation. Have you ever thought what it would be like to lose the freedom of social media?

6. The second half of Lily’s story in Seed Savers-Keeper takes place in Portland, Oregon. Do you know much about Portland? Where and why is Seed Savers Headquarters in Portland?

7. Lily learns from Arturo that some states have recently passed laws legalizing home gardening though it is still illegal at the federal level. Can you think of any real life examples like this? 

8. Are there any characters in Seed Savers-Keeper that you really dislike? Don’t trust? Want to know more about?

9.  James Gardener worries about the hackers leaking information and riling people up. He feels the best way to change things is by voting and legislative power. Discuss these two viewpoints.

10. In a future where the media is controlled and regulated, Jason and Monroe manage to hack into the system and show the viewing public that demonstrations are happening all across the country. What effect will this have? 

11. Was there anything at the ending of Keeper that surprised you?

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Discussion Questions for Seed Savers-Unbroken

(Best for Teens)

1. When James Gardener discovers Lily has been kidnapped, he tries to turn himself in despite the council’s urging him not to. Do you agree or disagree with his actions? Why or why not?

2. The leader of Radicle is a young man named Amos. What are your impressions of Amos and why?

3. When Jason asks Cassidy if he owns a gun, Cassidy quotes playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton saying his mantra has always been “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Explain how he and Jason end up proving this to be true.

4. Lily is obviously one of the “heroes” of Seed Savers. What are some of her faults or weaknesses? Her strengths?

5. Of all the characters in Seed Savers, which one reminds you most of yourself?

6. Did any of the characters surprise you in this fifth Seed Savers book?

7. One of the main themes in Seed Savers-Unbroken is the U.S. food supply. Had you ever given much thought to this before?

8. There are a lot of strands in Unbroken–the unravelling politics, changing friendships, family relationships. . . which parts were your favorite and why?

9. What does this story remind you of? (Other books, movies, current events…)

10. What is the art of kintsugi as described by Lily’s mother and how does it relate to the title? 

11. Seed Savers-Unbroken is the last book in the series. Compare how you thought the author might end the series with how she ended it. What would you have liked to have happened differently?

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