CHARACTERS
Why is Grace considered brave in the story?
She explores dangerous areas and follows clues despite risks
How does the author use Sydney Mines to create suspense?
Dark mines, unstable areas, hidden clues make readers anxious.
Why is Grace’s hobby of fossil hunting more than just a pastime?
It connects her to science, history, problem-solving and her dad.
What motivates Grace to solve the mystery of her father?
Curiosity, love and desire to understand what happened to him.
What is a fossil?
A fossil is a plant or animal that lived a long time ago and left a mark or part behind.
How do Grace’s friends help her on her adventure?
Grace’s friends help her by giving good ideas, staying careful, and working with her to solve problems. Name a least one
Why would the story be different if it took place in a city instead of Sydney Mines?
There wouldn’t be mines, fossils, or wilderness challenges.
How do the fossils help Grace understand the history of the land?
They show what plants and environments were like long ago.
How do the clues in the story guide the characters’ decisions?
They help them know where to go and what to investigate next
What does “mysterious” mean, and how does it apply to the story?
Something puzzling or unknown; the note about her father is mysterious
How does Grace’s dad affect her adventure?
She wants to solve the mystery about his accident/disappearance.
Explain why the coal mines are historically and scientifically important.
They preserve Carboniferous plant fossils and show past environments.
Explain the connection between coal formation and fossil preservation.
Coal comes from ancient plant material; the same rocks preserve fossils.
Name one risky situation and explain how Grace or her friends respond.
Dark tunnels, sinkholes, or unstable cliffs; they use teamwork and caution
How is “teamwork” shown when the characters face danger?
Sharing ideas, helping each other, following safety plans. Give any example.
Who solves the most problems, and how?
Grace notices clues others miss.
How does the place(setting) where the story happens show adventure and exploring?
Mines, forests and fossils symbolize exploration and curiosity.
Why must scientists (and Grace) handle fossils carefully?
To protect important clues about the past; removing them can ruin information
How does the author build tension during the adventure?
Suspenseful descriptions, hidden clues, and time pressure.
What does ‘adventure’ mean in the story?
An exciting or risky experience, like exploring the mines and forests.
How do the characters change by the end of the story?
They grow more confident, responsible, and learn teamwork.
Why is Sydney Mines an exciting place to look for fossils?
It has lots of fossils and interesting places like mines, forests, and sinkholes to explore.
If you found a fossil, how could you figure out what it is
Look at its shape, size, and what it looks like compared to other fossils.
Predict an alternative ending if Grace ignored one major clue.
Open-ended; must show understanding of cause and effect
Use the word “suspense” to describe a moment in the story.
Open-ended; student must explain a tense moment, e.g., entering a dark tunnel.