The Orphanage by the Lake

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Discuss what you liked most and least about the book.
• Were you surprised by the plot twist at the end of the book? Did you suspect Andrew or Sonia at any point? Why or why not?
• Does The Orphanage by the Lake remind you of other mysteries you have read? How is Hazel Cho similar to, or different from, other fictional detectives?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• What scenes in the book evoked a strong emotional response from you, if any?
• Have you ever misjudged someone in the way that Hazel misjudges others? Did Hazel’s reactions in the moments when she realizes she was wrong about someone feel true to your experience?
• Hazel’s desire for justice pushes her to overcome the obstacles in her way. Are there moments in your life when your values have helped you overcome hardships in a similar way?
• Hazel struggles with feeling inadequate even as she puts on a strong, confident front to the outside world. Is this a feeling you can relate to? Why or why not?
• The characters in The Orphanage by the Lake have to decide whether to conform to or break from the expectations their family has for them. Is this a conflict you have faced in your own life? If so, how did you choose to handle it?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How does The Orphanage by the Lake present the challenges of misogyny and prejudice? How is this reflective of the real-world challenges women and minorities face?
• The author of The Orphanage by the Lake, Daniel G. Miller, is a white man from Minnesota. Does he accurately represent the experiences of a Korean American woman living in New York City? What challenges do writers face when writing characters with experiences different from their own?
• How do the class differences between Hazel and the wealthy people she interacts with in her investigation shape her experiences?
• The police do not adequately investigate Mia’s or the other girls’ disappearances from Saint Agnes because they are seen as “troubled.” How is this reflective of real-world cases involving missing girls or women from this vulnerable population?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The story is told from a first-person perspective. How does this perspective make Hazel more relatable? How did it impact your understanding of the mystery?
• How does Hazel change over the course of her investigation into Mia’s disappearance?
• Analyze Dr. Thomas Mackenzie’s actions over the course of the narrative. To what extent are they understandable? Do you agree with the decisions he made? Why or why not?
• What setting is more frightening, the city or Lake George? How does the book present each in ways that accentuate their spooky qualities?
• What clues throughout the narrative foreshadowed the final plot twist? Were there any clues you only recognized in retrospect?
• Discuss the use of the symbolism of Dionysus and its contrast with the symbol of Apollo in The Orphanage by the Lake.

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast as Hazel Cho? As Andrew DuPont?
• Hazel Cho has a love for music. What songs or artists would be in her top 10? Make a playlist for her.

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