Three+Rivers+Rising

Celestia, a girl from a wealthy family, has to choose between what her parents want for her and the friendship that she develops with a hired boy who lives in the valley below. She has to keep her feelings for the boy a secret but then she realizes it’s becoming more than friendship. This relationship, along with glimpses into the lives of others who live and work around this young couple, creates the background of this gripping novel. After some heavy rains plague the area for days, everything changes for the people who live where the three rivers come together, including their perspectives on life and what is really important. Although the characters are fictional, the story gives a realistic look into what it must have been like to be trapped in the waters of theJohnstownflood back in the tragic days of May, 1889.

1) What was the name of Peter’s mother? Anna was the name of Peter’s mother.

2) What did Anna do prior to her death? Anna was a schoolteacher before she died.

3) What did Peter say his mother would smell like if he could see her in heaven? Peter said she smelled like sunshine and honey.

4) What did Aunt Mimsy say Mr. Grayson stinks of? Aunt Mimsy said he stinks of new money.

5) How did Early die? He hit his head on a rock.

6) What is the name of Celestia’s sister? Celestia’s sister’s name was Estrella.

7) Who was the father of Estrella’s baby? Grayson was the father of her baby.

8) What was Celestia’s plan to stop the rumors of her sister’s pregnancy? Celestia decided to pretend she had scarlet fever by rubbing berry juice on her cheeks.

9) How did Maura spend long, winter nights? Maura spent the nights making quilts.

10) Why wouldn’t Givens need a pair of old snowshoes? Givens only had one leg so he wouldn’t need a pair of snowshoes.

11) What color was Celestia’s mother’s stationary? The stationary was lavender.

12) What were the three rivers in the story? The three rivers were: South Fork, Little Conemaugh, andStoney Creek.

13) What illness did Peter’s father suffer from? Peter’s father had black lung.

14) What does Celestia consider Andrew Forrester? Celestia said he was a half-wit braggart.

15) What helped to save all the townspeople from theJohnstownflood? Joseph’s long train whistle warned the people ahead of time and saved many from the flood.

16) What additional disaster happened after the flood? There was a fire after the flood.

17) What was the theme of the novel? Celestia’s parents learn that relationships matter more than position and money.