City of Ghosts

Explain Cassidy and Jacob’s list of friendship rules. From where do the rules originate, or are the pair just making them up as they go? What does their unwritten code of friendship symbolize for Cassidy?

Explore the irony in Cassidy’s parents’ occupation concerning her ability to cross the Veil. Would her life be easier if she told them the truth? Explain the complexities of both choices.

Cassidy’s experience of paranormal activity is both physical and emotional. Explain the way the author uses all five senses to give the reader a sense of how she feels in her body and spirit when she responds to the call of the Veil.

How does the author use humor to balance the tense, scary tone of the novel? Through which characters does she deliver the most humorous lines and moments?

How is Jacob the perfect friend for Cassidy? How is their relationship challenged when she meets Lara? Is Lara arguably a better match for Cassidy, and should she heed Lara’s warning and send Jacob on past the Veil?

Analyze the ways the author notes a shift in the mood in Scotland. Why are the ghosts there more menacing and the pull of the Veil so much stronger?

Findley claims he does not believe in ghosts but respects the city’s deep-rooted mythology and ghostly lore. How does his heroic act at the climax of the story reveal his true beliefs? Are there clues in the text that suggest he knows about Cassidy’s ability and can sense or see Jacob?

Victoria Schwab is known for writing books that appeal to all age groups. Though this novel is written for a middle-grade audience and driven by fast-paced action, what elements does she include that appeal to an older audience? In what way does she push the boundaries of middle-grade fiction with the horror elements, making the novel just scary enough but not too terrifying for the younger readers?