a Discussion guide for
New World: Rising
by
Jennifer Wilson
It’s not
about
right or
it’s about
surviving.
978-0-692-28021-8
$9.99
Ages 12 & up - Grades 7 & up
wrong,
Since witnessing her parents’ murders at the age of eleven, Phoenix’s only purpose in life has
been to uphold her mother’s dying words- to be strong and survive. But surviving outside of
The Walls- outside of The Sanctuary- is more like a drawn-out death sentence. A cruel and
ruthless city, Tartarus is run by the Tribes whose motto is simple, “Join or die.” Refusing to
join and determined to live, Phoenix fights to survive in this savage world.
About the Author
When Jennifer is not writing, she is enjoying
life in Colorado, rock climbing, camping,
exploring new foods, playing with her
golden retriever, Duke, and sharing her life
with her wonderful husband. Visit Jennifer at
www.jenniferkaywilson.com.
a Discussion guide for
New World: Rising
• How do the Tribes relate to or differ from real world examples of people conforming to a particular
group to survive?
• If you had to choose, which Tribe would you choose?
• The Wall was originally constructed to keep the undesirables out. Do you think it’s more about keeping
people out or keeping people in? Which side would you want to be on?
• How does saving Mouse change and transform Phoenix? How do you think she might have changed if
she had chosen not to save her?
• What does Mouse represent to Phoenix?
• Phoenix says, "I believe it is our choices that make us who we are…” In what ways can Phoenix be
considered a hero? In what ways could she be considered an anti-hero?
• The events of New World: Rising take place over a hundred years in the future. People war with one
another over goods, kill for things they want, are mostly illiterate, are ostracized if the don’t conform
and many are blinding following thier leaders. What do you imagine the United States will be like a
century from now? Do you think there could be similarities to the world portrayed?
• Rebellion is one of the larger themes in New World: Rising. Who is the bigger rebel, Arstid or Phoenix?
What does the “rebellion” mean for either character?
• Is there anything in Maddox’s actions that hint at what he will ultimately do for Phoenix in the end?
Why do you think he did it?
• New World: Rising is the first installment of a trilogy. What do you think is in store for Triven, Mouse
and Phoenix in the next book in the series?
• Both Arstid and Phoenix have the will to survive—to keep going when everything seems lost. How are
Arstid and Phoenix similar in other ways?
• One of the most terrifying aspects of New World: Rising is not knowing whom to trust. After losing her
family, Phoenix lives by herself in the city. How does she regain her ability to trust?
• Triven says, “If we keep punishing people for what their parents or their ancestors have done, the
world as a whole can never move forward. Society will never grow.” What are some real life examples
of this?
• Gun control is a huge issue in the US right now. Phoenix says “That’s the funny thing about guns; even
untrained hands can feel powerful using them. But take that gun away and you’re left with nothing but
a coward whose only skill is how to blindly pull a trigger.” How do you feel about this comment?
• When Phoenix confronts Arden about his birth Tribe, his response is, “Not all of us fit the molds we
were born into.” Do any of you relate to his statement?
• What is the difference between being fearless and learning to control your fears? Do you believe
anyone can be truly fearless?