Discussion Guide

Themes & Big Ideas

What do you think this story is really about? Which themes or messages stood out to you the most?
How does magical realism, with its blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary, influence the way you understand the story’s messages?
What might the reindeer Dancer symbolize, and how does her loss affect both worlds in the story?
What does the story suggest about the cost of privilege? How do the characters justify the emotional and moral compromises they make to maintain their place in the world?
How do class, gender, and age influence who gets to have a voice and who doesn’t? What does the book reveal about the risks of speaking up and the consequences of staying silent?

Character Journeys

The characters in Jonquil Estates and the North Pole live in very different worlds, yet their struggles feel similar. What ties their journeys together? How do their disparate environments shape their choices?
How do Peyton’s working-class roots and her father’s lack of affirmation influence her sense of identity once she enters the Bartletts’ world?
Both Peyton and Piper seek authenticity in worlds that reward conformity. How do their parallel struggles reflect different stages of the same search for integrity and voice?
Bradford walks a fine line between friendship and integrity. How do his choices test his moral compass, and what do they reveal about quiet acts of courage?
Santa tries to stay relevant and true to his values even as the world around him moves in a different direction. What does his struggle say about staying faithful to what matters most when times change?
Do you see Helen Bartlett as a villain, a product of her world, or something in between?
Everett fears losing control as his influence fades. How does that fear shape his relationships and his sense of self?

Personal Reflection

Were there moments when you saw a bit of yourself or someone you know in any of the characters? How did that connection shape your reading experience?
The book highlights quiet forms of rebellion and courage. What does it mean to “reclaim your voice”? Can small acts of defiance be just as powerful as dramatic ones?
How does the use of magical realism shape your emotional connection to the story and the way you experience the characters’ struggles?

Wrap-Up & Lasting Impressions

What surprised you most about the book—its emotional depth, the character arcs, the way fantasy and reality overlap, or something else?
If you were to describe this book to someone who hasn’t read it, what one sentence would you use?
What key ideas or feelings stayed with you after finishing the story?
If this were adapted into a film, who would you cast—and why?