7. Who are the seven Kindred? Most simply defined, the word “kindred” means relative or related. Why do you think Veronica Rossi chose this name for the evil group in her novel? What relationships do you think she is positing by using this term?
8. Here, Gideon explains why he became a soldier. Do you think this is a complete explanation? Do you believe Gideon has “zero problem doing whatever it took to keep harm from coming to innocent people”? Explain your answer.
9. What happens to Gideon when Ra’om invades his mind? Why can’t the Kindred invade Daryn’s mind?
10. At the end of the great battle in chapter 59, Gideon says, “None of us calls what we did a victory.” Do you think Daryn and the Riders were successful in their defeat of the Kindred? What risks does the world still face at the novel’s conclusion?
11. At the end of the novel, Gideon’s connections to the other riders, to Riot, and to Daryn are what have enabled him to both forgive himself for not saving his father, and to begin moving forward in his own life—things he was struggling to accomplish at the story’s start. How might this novel be read as an exploration of the challenges of defining and understanding the notion of the self?
Supports Common Core State Standards: RL.8.1–4, 9–10.1–5, 11–12.1–6; and SL.8.1, 3, 4; SL.9–10.1, 3, 4; SL.11–12.1, 3, 4.
DEVELOPING RESEARCH & WRITING SKILLS
Setting & Background
1. Analysis of Riders must begin with a look at one key inspiration, the notion of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse described in Revelations, the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. If possible, read Revelations Chapter 6 (one long paragraph) to see the original literary source for the four horses imagery. At the library or online learn more about scholarly interpretations of this final biblical book, including its use as inspiration for works of literature, art, and music. Use this information to create a PowerPoint or other multimedia-style presentation about your discoveries to share with friends or classmates.
2. In an interview on National Public Radio, Professor Elaine Pagels notes that the author of the Book of Revelations was likely a refugee from Jerusalem writing in a time of rebellion against the Roman Empire. “I don’t think we understand this book until we understand that it’s wartime literature … it comes out of people who have been destroyed by war.” (Book Of Revelation: “Visions, Prophecy And Politics.” Fresh Air, (radio program) http://www.npr.org/2012/03/07/148125942/the-book-of-revelation-visions-prophecy-politics.) Consider reading Veronica Rossi’s Riders as another work of wartime literature. Write a short essay arguing that a contemporary, real-world war situation of your choice should be interpreted as the backdrop for the novel.
Character
1. Here, Daryn tells Gideon that her journal is about “everything I care about.” In the character of Daryn, write at least three entries into her journal, possibly including a reflection on leaving home, your first meeting with Gideon, your frustrations over getting the Riders to cooperate, or your thoughts about your future.
2. Riders invites readers into the worlds of four very different young men who share the experience of “death” and being brought together by Daryn. With friends or classmates, discuss the term “death” as it is used in the novel. What do you think has truly happened to Gideon, Sebastian, Marcus, and Jode? Role-play a conversation between the four Riders in which each character discusses how the death experience influenced his decision to join Daryn. (Note: Riders in this exercise can be played by male or female students.)
Plot
1. Riders posits a catastrophic, alternate-world-of-evil scenario against which Gideon, the other riders, Daryn and, ultimately, a small division of the American military commit to fight. In the character of (the real) Cordero, create a military-style presentation describing what you know of the Kindred and the risks posed by the evil alternate universe they seek to reopen, to give to friends or classmates. Then, for each of the four horsemen, create a recruitment-style poster entitled “Why I Fight.” Include graphic images, names of people or places, a short essay, and quotations from the novel, such as Gideon here (“After a while, I couldn’t look at those stars without thinking God. And then thinking, Oh my God. You’re really real.”)
Supports Common Core State Standards: RL.8.4, RL.8.9; RL.9–10.4; RL.11–12.4; W.8.2–3, W.8.7–8; W.9–10.2–3, W.9–10.6–8; W.11–12.2–3, W.11–12.6–8; and SL.8.1, SL.8.4–5; SL.9–10.1–5; 11–12.1–5.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
VERONICA ROSSI is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of fiction for young adults. She is a graduate of UCLA, a mother of two, an avid reader, eater, and baseball fan. One of her proudest accomplishments in writing this book is that it is, by a wide margin, her father’s favorite Veronica Rossi novel. Of perhaps equal greatness is the fact that she can now call a colonel in the United States Army her friend. To him, she heartily and gratefully would like to say: Rangers Lead the Way! You can sign up for email updates here.