The Spirit of Sweetgrass

Reading Guides

Reading Group Guide

1. Essie Mae is 78-years-old. Is she part of your generation, your mother's or your grandmother's? What characteristics does she share with the women of her generation?
   
2. The themes of home and homeland are strong in The Spirit of Sweetgrass. Why is heritage and paying homage to homeland important? What is Essie Mae's true homeland? What is yours?
   
3. Does Daddy Jim truly sit with Essie Mae and speak with her? What do EJ and Henrietta believe?
   
4. Why do you think Daddy Jim visits Essie Mae at her roadside stand? Why doesn't he come to the house on Rifle Range Road? If Daddy Jim truly loves Essie Mae, why do you think he won't go to Sunnydale Farms?
   
5. In what ways is The Spirit of Sweetgrass a love story?
   
6. The notion of "Power" or being "powerful" fuels this story. What is Power, where does it come from, and who has it? Does Essie Mae have power in the beginning of the book? In the end? Is there power in Essie Mae's "love baskets"?
   
7. The themes of life and death are threaded throughout this book. What are some instances of these events? How do these events affect Essie Mae, Jeffrey, and Henrietta?
   
8. Who or what is "the spirit of sweetgrass"?
   
9. Discuss the use of color in The Spirit of Sweetgrass. Are these colors symbolic in any way?
   
10. When Essie Mae is in heaven she says, "It's a wonder we understand each other a'tall down on Earth what with us only seeing little snippets of folks every now and again." Does Essie Mae ever understand her daughter, Henrietta? Does Henrietta ever understand her mother? In any relationship, how important is it that we understand each other? What are some ways to foster better understanding?
    
11. How do you think Essie Mae feels when she learns Jeffrey is gay? Are her beliefs conservative or liberal? Upon learning his sexual orientation, do Essie Mae's feelings toward Jeffrey change? Is it possible to love someone unconditionally yet not accept everything about him or her?
    
12. Both Jeffrey Lowes and Jackson Hemingway were cared for as children by Essie Mae. What do you think about nanny-child relationships? What does it say to you that a white family chooses a nanny who is African-American?
    
13. After the Soiree EJ thinks his mother, Henrietta, is a racist? Do you believe she is? If so, what is at the root of her prejudice? If issues of the past are fully dealt with, do you believe racial prejudice can be overcome?
    
14. In this book, Essie Mae has a strong spiritual connection to places: Mount Pleasant, the lime-green house, her roadside stand, Africa, heaven. What does it mean to have a spiritual connection to a physical place? Do you have a spiritual connection to a place? Explain.
    
15. Essie Mae feels she's found her calling in life. What is her calling? Have you found your calling in life? If so, how did you realize it? If not, what may be standing in your way? Do you believe everyone has a calling?
    
16. What do you think Essie Mae is most afraid of? How does she handle that fear? What about Henrietta? Have you ever considered what you're most afraid of? How might your fears impact your actions and your loved ones?
    
17. Essie Mae and her band of heavenly spirits are involved in a spiritual battle at the Sweetgrass Soiree. What are they battling over? Do you believe that spiritual battles between good and evil go on in our daily lives?
    
18. Heaven is an important setting in this book. Describe what you imagine heaven is like. What do you hope it will be like? Do you have any fears about heaven? Do you believe there's a connection between heaven and Earth?