Moo: A Novel

Moo is structured as a mixture of poetry and prose. What does this mixture add to the experience of reading the book? How might it be different if Creech had chosen all poetry or all prose, and how does blended form speak to a wider audience?

One of the things that bothers Reena about both Zora and Mrs. Falala is their stubbornness. What causes her to characterize them as “stubborn”? Is this different from calling someone “determined”? Is Reena herself stubborn, or is she just determined?

The juxtaposition of Reena’s life in New York City with her life in Maine is meant to convey The Rewards of Rural Life. Are these two settings both portrayed fairly, or is Reena’s narration biased toward one or the other? What does your answer reveal about Reena’s character?

Reena’s parents stress The Importance of Respect, especially when it comes to Reena’s and Luke’s treatment of Mrs. Falala. Why do you think it is especially important to them that the children show respect toward Mrs. Falala? What does this have to do with her age and her isolation? What message about interacting with eccentric or stereotyped people does the novel convey?

What is the symbolic significance of Mrs. Falala’s flute? How does it characterize her? How is it related to the larger symbol of the attic room, and what does it help to convey about non-verbal communication and expression?

Mrs. Falala is frequently compared to Zora. Which elements of the text make this comparison, and what is its purpose? How can Luke also be likened to Mrs. Falala's animals regarding non-verbal communication?

Luke and Mrs. Falala bond over their shared interest in drawing. Is drawing important to them for similar reasons? What is Creech pointing out about these two characters by making them both so interested in this form of self-expression? How does Reena use art, through poetry, as a form of self-expression, and what does this say about the connection between the three?

Reena’s main form of companionship when she first moves to Maine is her seven-year-old brother. What does meeting people her own age contribute to her life that Luke cannot offer? Is there an argument to be made that her relationship with her much-younger brother also contributes to her life in a way that relationships with people her own age cannot? What do your answers demonstrate about The Value of Companionship?

Before moving to Maine, Reena is insecure about Growing Into a New Life. Which elements of her experience in Maine contribute the most to her successful adaptation to her new environment? Could Reena have adapted as successfully without being forced to work on Mrs. Falala’s farm?