The Velvet Room cover

The Velvet Room

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

The Williams' family lives a rough life, living out of their Model-T as their father searches for work. Though Robin loves her family dearly, she's always felt a little different from them--always restless and longing for things she can't explain. When the family finally settles down to work the orchards of the abandoned Las Palermas mansion, Robin discovers a wonderful, secret place--the Velvet Room--where she finally feels content. Over the course of an eventful year, Robin begins to unlock the Velvet Room's mystery, but just when she comes closest, events conspire to force her into a series of difficult choices that threaten to separate her from the Velvet Room forever.

More by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?