The Midnight Library

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What other novels do you know that incorporate parallel universes?

Teaching Suggestion: Through the Midnight Library, Nora explores many different versions of her life. Discussing other novels that also establish parallel universes can help to frame Nora’s use of the Midnight Library.

• Electric Literature published a list of “9 Mind-Bending Books about Parallel Universes.”
• Fantasy Book Review put together a list of the “Best Parallel Universe / Multiverse Books.”

2. What is success? What are the characteristics of a successful life?

Teaching Suggestion: For much of the novel, Nora pursues different ideas and versions of success, but she discovers disappointment in the midst of her accomplishments. This question can help students better understand the themes of The Point of Life is Life Itself and The Power of Perception.

• TED offers a playlist of TED Talks, “What Is Success?,” that discuss this topic.

Short Activity

Go to 16Personalities.com and click “Find Your Type” to learn what your Myers-Briggs personality type is. Once you complete the assessment, take some time to read the Introduction and potential career paths suggested for your personality. Then, find a partner and share your informal evaluation of the similarities and differences between traits you see in yourself and traits suggested by the profile.

Teaching Suggestion: The Midnight Library allows Nora to see herself as an Olympic swimmer, a rock star, a barkeep, and many other roles. Using the Myers-Briggs site, students can get a sense of their own potential. Encourage them to compare the careers for which 16Personalities provides information with careers they have already considered; it can be interesting to note whether the suggested results align with their goals strongly, somewhat, or not at all. General discussion on the idea that life is full of possibilities can round out the activity.

• The Myers & Briggs Foundation provides information about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
• True Colors is a personality assessment that focuses on a person’s strengths and traits, which might be a useful extension of this activity.