Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved

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PART I

Chapter One—Shade

1. Describe what Shade is doing at the beginning of the story.
2. Why had Shade's mother warned him that he must get fat?
3. Why was Shade called Runt by some of the other newborns?
4. Why might he resent the name even though he knows it's true?
5. Describe the difference between stalactites and stalagmites?
6. Explain why the young bats had never seen their fathers.
7. What challenge does Shade make to Chinook?
8. What danger did Shade face as he returned to Tree Haven?

1. Describe Tree Haven.
2. What had happened that same year to Shade's father?
3. Explain the small metal band around Frieda's left forearm.
4. How did the elders discipline Shade for going to see the sun?
5. Why were the elders still worried about the owl?
6. What surprising revelation does Frieda make to Shade?
7. Do you like bats?  Why or why not?

1. Where is the echo chamber?
2. According to Frieda, why were the bats banished from the daylight?
3. Give a detailed description of the echo chamber.
4. Explain the Promise.
5. What event does Frieda interpret as a sign that the banishment may soon be ending?
6. What does Mercury announce at the end of the chapter?

1. Who is Brutus and why is he talking with Frieda?
2. How does Frieda respond to Brutus' demands?
3. Why does Bethsheba question Frieda's ability to lead the silverwing colony.
4. How does Frieda respond to Bethsheba's challenge to her authority?
5. Frieda tells them they are misdirecting their anger.  Explain.
6. Where did the colony sleep the first night of their journey?
7. List two things that Shade is worried about.
8. What does Shade hope to accomplish some day?

Make a short presentation to your classmates on the importance of history in our modern world.

1. What evidence is there of humans at the beginning of this chapter?
2. What is the significance of the title of this chapter?
3. What is the flashing light that Ariel warns her son not to stare at?
4. What protection does Shade seek in the storm?
5. What type of bat does Shade meet?
6. What disturbing news does Shade receive from the other bat?

1. What does Shade notice about Marina?
2. Why was Marina no longer living with the colony?
3. At the end of the chapter, what does Marina tell Shade that she wants to do?

1. According to Marina, how were her longer wings superior to Shade's?
2. What advantage did Shade say that he had with his broader wings?
3. As the two bats head for the mainland, what does Shade spot in the distance that reassures him?
4. Why do the Graywings change their minds after initially inviting Marina and Shade to join them on their journey?
5. What does Marina suggest Shade should do?
6. How does Shade react to her comment?

PART II

Chapter Eight--Goth

1. Describe Goth's present home?
2. What were the revolving blades that Goth described as a trap made by humans to keep them inside?
3. Why did Goth insist that Throbb squeeze through the opening first?
4. Why was Goth shocked when he finally managed to escape?
5. Describe how Goth's character is very different from that of Shade.

1. What does Shade think that they have not arrived at the correct landmark?
2. Describe what happens next.
3. How do the pigeons intend to torture the bats?
4. How do Marina and Shade make their escape?

1. Describe how they manage to evade the pigeons who are chasing them?
2. What was the giant demon at the base of the spire?
3. Why was the bat inside the cathedral so strange looking to Shade and Marina?
4. Who is Zephyr?
5. What good news does Zephyr have for Shade?
6. Explain how Zephyr tends to Shade's injury?
7. Why does the author re-introduce Goth and Throbb at the very end of this chapter?

1. Why had Marina flown down into the cathedral?
2. Why was Shade surprised by the physical appearance of the Humans?
3. Why is it so baffling to Shade that the Humans are praying?
4. What surprises Shade most about the war that the Humans are waging?
5. Why is Shade so excited when he hears the seven bongs?
6. How did Zephyr explain his ability to hear the stars?
7. What other amazing ability does Zephyr possess?
8. What incredible news does Zephyr tell Shade?
9. What two characters reappear at the end of the chapter?

What is the difference between a futurist and a clairvoyant.   Pretend that you are a futurist.   Make a ten minutes presentation to your class on what things will be like in the future.

1. Who attacked Marina and Shade?
2. Who saved them from almost certain death?
3. According to Goth, why had he attacked the pigeons?
4. How does Shade react when Goth offers him a piece of owl meat?
5. Why does Goth think that the Humans banded the bats?
6. How is Shade able to convince Marina that they should stay with Goth and Throbb?

1. What are Goth's plans for Marina and Shade?
2. Why does Goth instruct Throbb to have some self-discipline and not to eat bats?
3. Give evidence that Goth does not think much of Shade's religion.
4. Can you find examples of religious intolerance in your community?
5. What were Goth's plans for Shade's Silverwing colony?
6. What revolting sight does Shade stumble upon when he goes in search of Marina?
7. Explain the significance of the title of this chapter--"Dark Allies".

1. Why must Shade speak cautiously with Marina in the stone hollow?
2. Why does he tell Marina that he wants her to go with him to see an icicle?
3. How do they finally manage to evade Goth?
4. Why is Goth angry with Throbb?

PART III

Chapter Fifteen--Winter

1. Describe the setting at the beginning of this chapter.
2. What are the dark shapes that Marina spots draped over the treetops and how did they get there?
3. Why is Marina surprised that Shade's mother had instructed him to go near the wolves?
4. Describe the problem with Throbb's wings.
5. Why does saliva gush into Goth's mouth?

1. Why did Shade and Marina decide to enter the wooden structure?
2. What did they find inside the building?
3. Explain the difference between Goth's band and Marina's.
4. What does this difference signify according to the other bats?
5. What did Scirocco tell Marina about the transformation?
6. Describe what happened to Scirocco next?
7. What dilemma does Marina face at the end of this chapter?

1. What influenced Marina's choice to continue her journey with Shade?
2. How does Shade explain Scirocco's transformation?
3. How does Marina interpret Zephyr's warning to beware of metal on wings?
4. How was the mystery of the giant white wolf finally solved?

1. Why is Marina so surprised to see Goth and Throbb?
2. What danger did they encounter inside their new escape route?
3. Why was Goth pleased at the pungent smell of rotting food?

1. Where do the guard rats take Shade and Marina?
2. What does Remus think that Shade and Marina were doing?
3. According to Romulus, why has he been imprisoned?
4. Why does Romulus insist that Goth and Throbb must be stopped?
5. How is Romulus able to assist Shade and Marina in their escape?

1. What had Zephyr predicted that came true?
2. Shade thought he had been eaten.  Explain.
3. Why were Goth's forearms festooned with glimmering silver rings?
4. What does Goth hint that he will do if Shade betrays him?
5. Although Shade despises Goth, he is beginning to have doubts about some of his own beliefs.  Explain why.
6. Where does Shade sleep?

Have you ever craved power or used it to obtain something for yourself or your friends?  Is power always physical or can it assume other forms?  Research Lord Acton's now famous quote, "All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely".  Give reasons and examples why you agree or disagree with this quote.

1. What explanation did Shade give to Goth about his willingness to betray his own colony?
2. How does he convince Goth, that the large bat still needs him.
3. What does Marina think of Shade's pact with Goth?
4. Why does Shade tell Goth that he would like to taste the Brightwing bat that the large bat has captured?

1. Why is Shade concerned that he may not be able to find the correct migration route?
2. Why is Goth upset when he wakes up?
3. How does Shade manage to evade the owl?
4. Describe what happens to Throbb and Goth.
5. What does Goth vow to do?

1. What was the final landmark before the bats reached Hibernaculum?
2. Why had the Silverwing colony doubled in size?
3. What indication is there that Marina is modest about her accomplishments?
4. Why would the winter halt any fighting?
5. What did Frieda think the bats should do in the spring?
6. Why hadn't Icarus revealed the whereabouts of Cassiel?
7. Why does Marina think that the members of her own colony may now accept her into the group?

Created by Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO