Parent, teacher & book club guide

For Parents, Grandparents and Teachers

The Truth Seekers is a clean, funny, faith-friendly mystery that gives families and classrooms a lot to talk about: honesty, sisters, standing up for others, and how one choice can change a life. Use these topics and questions as you read together. Questions are grouped by part of the book so nobody gets spoiled ahead of where they are.

Conversation starters

Things to talk about

Honesty and keeping secrets

Almost every problem in the book grows from a secret, and almost every repair starts with someone telling the truth.

Ask: “Is there ever a good reason to keep a secret from your family? What's the difference between a surprise and a secret?”

Sisters, siblings, and fighting fair

Stella and Rylee love each other fiercely and still have a real falling-out. The book shows how they apologize and why both of them need to.

Ask: “When you and a sibling or friend fight, what usually helps you make up? Who apologizes first?”

Standing up for someone

On her very first morning, Stella steps in when another girl is being picked on, even though she is new and it could cost her.

Ask: “What would you do if you saw someone being picked on? What makes it hard to step in, and what could make it easier?”

Friends who flatter vs. friends who tell the truth

The story shows how someone can make a bad idea feel like your own idea, simply by agreeing with your anger.

Ask: “How can you tell if someone is giving you good advice or just telling you what you want to hear?”

Making decisions

Stella can take forever to choose an ice cream flavor but jumps into big decisions too fast. She grows into a better decision-maker.

Ask: “Are you a fast decider or a slow decider? What's one trick you use when you can't make up your mind?”

Missing someone you love

The twins lost their dad when they were five and only have a few fragments of memory. The book treats grief gently, with plenty of warmth and humor.

Ask: “What are some ways a family can keep the memory of someone alive? Is there a story about a grandparent or relative you'd like to hear?”

Listening to your heart

When the twins don't know what to do, they get quiet and listen inside. Families of faith may recognize this, and every family can talk about conscience and intuition.

Ask: “Have you ever had a quiet feeling that you should, or shouldn't, do something? What did you do?”

Responsibility and work

Stella works three afternoons a week at an ice cream shop and has to keep her grades up to keep the job. Drake works to pay for his own things.

Ask: “What responsibilities do you have now? What's one you'd like to earn next?”

For book clubs & classrooms

Discussion questions by part

Spoiler-light questions that follow the book in order. Read along, then talk.

1Part 1: New town, new schoolChapters 1 to 4

Stella has started at a lot of new schools. How does she handle being the new kid? How would you?
Stella says she is street smart and Rylee is book smart. What do you think she means? Which one are you?
Why do you think Stella decides to stand up to Alexa on the very first morning?
Mrs. Grimsby has a line, a form, and a stamp for everything. Why do you think rules matter so much to her?
Mr. Wigglesworth says something about the twins' father that shocks them. How would you feel in their place?
Why do you think the twins decide to wait before talking to their mom?

2Part 2: The book in the atticChapters 5 to 7

The twins have only a few real memories of their dad. Rylee says they have to "miss the missing." What do you think she means?
The hidden compartment only opens when both sisters pull together. Why do you think the author wrote it that way?
Would you have opened the book? Would you have said the Code of Acceptance? Why or why not?
Stella and Rylee each discover a gift. Which gift would you rather have, and why?
Rylee tells Stella she wishes their partnership felt more equal. Is that fair? How do they fix it?
Stella keeps one thing to herself even after the twins promise to work together. Why do you think she does that?

3Part 3: The other sideChapters 8 to 11

Mr. Wigglesworth explains that every choice has two possible outcomes. Do you agree?
How does Stella get to know Drake at the ice cream shop? What does she learn about him that matters?
The book says the other side works through flattery and deception. What does flattery look like in real life?
Stella makes a plan without telling Rylee. Why does Rylee get so upset? Who do you agree with?
Stella says, "I'll figure it out later" is how she files the things she's scared of. Do you ever do that?

4Part 4: When things fall apartChapters 12 to 14

The sisters go four days without speaking. What do you think each of them was feeling?
Drake asks Stella for advice. What does she tell him, and why is it good advice even though it's not exciting?
Stella and her mom make a deal about trust. What do you think it means to "let out the rope a little"?
When Stella finally apologizes, Rylee apologizes too. What does Rylee admit that surprises Stella?
The twins decide to ask a grown-up for help. Why is that a brave choice?

5Part 5: The race and the truthChapters 15 to 19 (best after finishing the book)

Mr. Wigglesworth says, "The gift grows the girl." How does Stella's gift help her grow?
Stella tells the truth to people who might not believe her. What made that hard? What made it worth it?
The twins finally decide to tell their mom everything. How does she surprise them?
Their mom's new house rule is "no more secrets." Could your family use a rule like that?
Stella learns that the truth is sometimes a seed, not a light switch. What do you think she means?
Which character changed the most from the first chapter to the last? How?

Off the page

Activities to do together

Start a mission journal

Like Rylee, keep a notebook for one week. Write down one kind thing you noticed someone do each day. Facts only, and you may add one sticker (two if you negotiate).

Ice cream flavor debate

Name two flavors and have each person argue for one in 30 seconds. Then vote. Talk about how you decide when both choices are good.

Family memory night

Pick a relative and have each person share one story about them. Write the stories down so they become part of your family's own book.

Explore an attic, basement, or closet

With a grown-up's permission, look for one old object in your home. Find out who owned it and what story it tells, the way Rylee's antiques club does.

Ocean floor, mountain top

The Martin family says "Love you from the ocean floor" and "Love you from the mountain top." Invent your own family saying and use it all week.

The choice staircase

Draw a staircase. Put one choice on the bottom step and imagine what might happen on each step above it. Try it once for a kind choice and once for a selfish one, then compare.

Free printables

Download the Truth Seekers coloring pages, word searches, and secret-code puzzles on the Coloring and Puzzles pages. Great for car rides, rainy days, and book club snacks.

Find your Truth Seeker

Take the Which Truth Seeker Character Are You? quiz together and compare results. Do you agree with what you got?

Cut-out printable

Conversation cards

Print, cut along the dashed lines, and keep them at the dinner table or in the car.

Honesty and keeping secrets

Is there ever a good reason to keep a secret from your family? What's the difference between a surprise and a secret?