Characters & Traits
At the start of the novel, Ellen is terrified of this neighborhood bully at the water pump.
Who is Dicey?
The main secret message is hidden inside this item before being baked into a loaf of bread.
What is a silver snuffbox?
In the book, soldiers dressed in bright red coats who fight for the King of England are called this.
What are Redcoats (or British soldiers)?
Toliver's Secret is set during this famous American conflict.
What is the American Revolutionary War?
When Ellen returns home after her journey and meets Dicey at the pump, what action shows she is no longer afraid?
What is she stands her ground and speaks up to Dicey instead of running away?
He is a barber and wigmaker who acts friendly toward British officers while secretly working as a Patriot spy.
Who is Grandfather (Grandfather Toliver)?
Ellen disguise herself as a boy using her brother’s old clothes to travel to this state
What is New Jersey?
Colonists who supported the fight for American independence from Great Britain were called this.
What are Patriots (or Revolutionaries)?
In late 1776, New York City was under the military occupation of this country.
What is Great Britain (England)?
What can you infer about Mr. Murdock when he offers Ellen a ride but grows suspicious when she dives into a stream for her bread?
What is he realizes the bread must contain something far more valuable than food?
This British soldier acts kindly toward Ellen and gives her advice on standing up to bullies.
Who is Higgins?
This injury forces Grandfather to ask Ellen to take his place on the mission.
What is a sprained ankle?
Read the phrase: "Ellen stood frozen like a statue as the soldier approached." This figure of speech is an example of a...
What is a simile?
The secret message Ellen carries is meant to eventually reach this Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
Who is General George Washington?
What text evidence shows that Higgins is different from other British soldiers like Dow?
What is Higgins protects Ellen from Dow's bullying and treats her kindly because she reminds him of his son?
How does Ellen change from the beginning of the story to the end after completing her journey?
What is she grows from timid and fearful into brave and confident?
Ellen runs away from Mrs. Murdock’s home because Mrs. Murdock tries to do this.
What is take off Ellen's wet clothes (which would reveal she is a girl)?
Based on context from the novel, a courier is a person whose job is to do this.
What is carry and deliver messages or secrets?
Why was disguising herself as a boy so important for Ellen’s journey through British-controlled territory?
What is a young boy traveling alone with bread would draw much less attention than a young girl?
Why does Grandfather keep his Patriot sympathies hidden from his everyday customers?
What is so British officers will speak freely around him, allowing him to gather military secrets
Compare Mother’s and Grandfather’s views on Ellen going on the mission.
What is Mother wants to protect Ellen and keep her safe at home, while Grandfather trusts her and believes she is brave enough to go?
Ellen is supposed to deliver the loaf of bread to Mr. Shannon at this specific location.
What is the Jolly Fox Tavern in Elizabethtown?
When Grandfather acts affable with British soldiers in his barbershop, it means he is being...
What is friendly, warm, or easy to talk to?
How did everyday citizens (like barbers, blacksmiths, and tavern owners) help the war effort in the story?
What is by forming secret spy networks to gather intelligence and pass messages behind enemy lines?
What is the overarching theme of Toliver's Secret?
What is courage is not the absence of fear, but doing what is right despite being afraid?