Clyde Robert Bulla’s A Lion to Guard Us has become a favorite in many homeschool reading lists because of its rich blend of history, adventure, and family themes. The story of Amanda, Jemmy, and Meg brings colonial America to life while also giving young readers a chance to think deeply about courage, leadership, and survival.
To help guide your students through this book, we’ve put together chapter-by-chapter discussion questions. These questions encourage thoughtful conversations, improve comprehension, and give children an opportunity to connect the struggles of the characters to their own lives. Whether you use them for family read-aloud time or independent study, they provide a framework that makes the book more meaningful.
Chapter-by-Chapter Questions
Chapter 1
- Why do Amanda, Jemmy, and Meg live in a small house in England?
- How does Amanda feel about her mother working for Mrs. Trippett?
- What do we learn about the children’s father?
Chapter 2
- Why does Mrs. Trippett treat the children the way she does?
- How does Amanda try to protect her younger brother and sister?
Chapter 3
- What happens to their mother in this chapter?
- How do the children react to this event differently?
Chapter 4
- Why does Amanda decide to keep her mother’s death a secret at first?
- What does this decision tell you about her character?
Chapter 5
- Why does Mrs. Trippett want to take Meg as a servant?
- How does Amanda respond to Mrs. Trippett’s plan?
Chapter 6
- What is the importance of the lion door knocker to Amanda?
- Why does she decide to carry it with her?
Chapter 7
- What dangers do the children face when they leave Mrs. Trippett’s house?
- How does Amanda keep her brother and sister safe?
Chapter 8
- Why do the children have trouble finding help?
- What do their struggles tell you about life in London at that time?
Chapter 9
- Who helps the children find a ship to Jamestown?
- What makes the children trust this person?
Chapter 10
- How do the children feel when they first see the ship?
- What fears or worries do they have before the voyage?
Chapter 11
- What hardships do the children face on the ship?
- How does Amanda help Jemmy and Meg during the voyage?
Chapter 12
- How do the children find courage during the storm?
- Why is the lion door knocker important during this part of the story?
Chapter 13
- What happens when the ship reaches Jamestown?
- How do the children react when they arrive in the New World?
Chapter 14
- What surprises the children about life in Jamestown?
- How does Amanda handle the challenges they face there?
Chapter 15
- What do the children learn about their father’s situation?
- How do they feel when they realize where he has been?
Chapter 16
- How does the reunion with their father unfold?
- What does this moment show about the children’s strength and perseverance?
Chapter 17
- Why is the title A Lion to Guard Us meaningful after the story ends?
- What lesson do you think the author wants readers to take from Amanda’s journey?
Character and Motivation
- How does Amanda show courage after her mother dies?
- Why do you think Jemmy and Meg look to Amanda for leadership even though she is not the oldest?
- What does the lion door knocker symbolize for Amanda?
- How do the children’s personalities affect the way they face challenges?
Themes and Lessons
- What does the story show about responsibility and independence?
- How do hope and determination help the children survive their journey?
- Why is trust so important in the children’s decisions?
- How does the book show the importance of family and loyalty?
Historical and Contextual
- What does the story reveal about life in England and the New World in the 1600s?
- How do the children’s experiences reflect the struggles of real families who traveled to Jamestown?
- How do the children’s challenges differ from the ones children face today?
Critical Thinking
- Do you think Amanda made the right choice to leave England? Why or why not?
- If you were in Amanda’s place, what would you have done differently?
- How might the story change if the lion door knocker had not been part of the children’s lives?
- What qualities make Amanda a strong leader?
