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 elements commonly contribute to a story’s sense of atmosphere (or mood)? What genres rely strongly on this literary quality?

Teaching Suggestion: Logan, the novel’s protagonist, is intrigued by the news of an unsolved crime when he learns that his new home’s former owner was murdered; this establishes an aura of secrets and mystery early in the novel. The small town and a nearby abandoned amusement park contribute further to the ominous atmosphere. It may be beneficial to introduce or review atmosphere as a literary trait before reading; once readers attempt the prompt independently, they might work in small groups to brainstorm and list 5-6 examples of other stories or films with a perilous, haunting atmosphere. The larger group might then discuss other genre elements common to mysteries, thrillers, or horror. Information from these or similar resources can help students develop additional context on the topic.

• This resource page on atmosphere offers descriptions and examples.
• For students interested in creative writing, this Masterclass article offers suggestions for elevating atmosphere (also called mood) in original stories.