About This Book
Cat Winters' 'The Steep and Thorny Way' is a Young Adult historical novel set in rural Oregon during the 1920s. It follows sixteen-year-old Hanalee, a biracial girl, as she investigates the mysterious death of her father, which she suspects was murder. Her quest for truth is complicated by the pervasive racism of the era, particularly from the Ku Klux Klan, and unsettling encounters with what appear to be ghosts. The narrative is a loose retelling of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' exploring themes of justice, prejudice, grief, and identity. Parents should be aware of the prominent themes of racism, violence, and murder, as well as supernatural elements. This book is best suited for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers, roughly ages 14-18, who are ready for complex historical contexts and challenging social issues.
"A sixteen-year-old biracial girl in rural Oregon in the 1920s searches for the truth about her father's death while avoiding trouble from the Ku Klux Klan in this YA historical novel inspired by Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'"--
Character Death
Violence
discrimination
Scary Scenes
peril_danger
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Hanalee's biracial identity influence her experiences and her quest for justice in 1920s Oregon?
2
Discuss the role of the supernatural elements, like ghosts, in the story. Are they literal, metaphorical, or both?
3
How does the book's inspiration from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' enhance or inform the narrative?
4
What challenges does Hanalee face in seeking the truth, and how does she demonstrate resilience and bravery?
5
How does the novel portray the historical context of racism and the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s? What lessons can we draw from this history?
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