Characters
Who is the 12-year-old protagonist of the story?
Who is Marley Torres?
This small mountain town is where the story takes place.
What is Pinecrest?
This happens just before the emergency lights turn on in the school.
What is the power outage?
This main idea is shown when students share gifts meant for donation.
A. Courage
B. Generosity
C. Responsibility
D. Teamwork
We can infer this emotion from Marley as she waits alone for her dad.
A. Excitement
B. Worry or anxiety
C. Anger
D. Amusement
Who is Marley waiting for at the beginning?
Who is her father?
This weather event forces the students to shelter inside the school.
What is the blizzard?
This surprise noise in the hallway leads to the arrival of Mrs. Winslow.
What is the jingling of bells?
This theme is shown through Marley’s concern for her dad during the storm.
A. Adventure
B. Friendship
C. Family love
D. Perseverance
The glowing box implies this type of storytelling element.
A. Humor
B. Mystery fiction
C. A touch of magic or magical realism
D. Real-world science
Who is the English teacher mentioned early in the story?
Who is Mr. Henderson?
This room becomes the shelter area where students gather for warmth and safety.
What is the gym?
This object is found in a sealed envelope with a mysterious message.
What is the letter describing the Snowbound Gift?
The compass represents this type of non-material holiday value.
A. Wealth
B. Fame
C. Inner guidance or emotional clarity
D. Celebration
Darius’s notebook suggests he might have this personality trait.
A. Carelessness
B. Impulsiveness
C. Thoughtfulness or curiosity
D. Dishonesty
Who are the two classmates Marley teams up with?
Who are Darius and Nina?
This room contains the glowing cabinet that hides the mysterious box.
What is the music room?
This is the object inside the glowing snowflake-carved box.
What is the silver compass?
The students working together illustrate this communal theme.
A. Cooperation
B. Competition
C. Independence
D. Tradition
Mrs. Winslow’s bells hint at this symbolic connection to the holiday.
A. A Santa-like or festive presence
B. A winter storm warning
C. A musical talent
D. A school tradition
Who arrives covered in snow with a bag of gifts?
Who is Mrs. Winslow?
This location is where Marley first waits before the school loses power.
What is the school lobby?
This is the moment when Marley realizes the compass’s true purpose.
A. It opens the cabinet
B. It predicts the weather
C. It symbolizes finding what matters
D. It belongs to Mrs. Winslow
What kind of message does the ending reveal about what Christmas can mean to people?
A. Winning prizes
B. Travel and adventure
C. New beginnings or rediscovering hope
D. Getting everything you want
Marley giving the compass away shows she has developed this quality.
A. Impatience
B. Selfishness
C. Generosity or maturity
D. Carelessness