1. Why are the townspeople afraid of the Alm Uncle? Why is Heidi unafraid of him?

2. Despite the grandmother being permanently blind, Heidi manages to bring her light. Describe the different ways she accomplishes this.

3. How is Heidi's year in Frankfurt beneficial for her? What does she gain from her time there?

4. Grandfather prefers to keep Heidi at home rather than send her to school, believing that at home "she is safe and will learn nothing evil." What is he trying to shield her from? Is his concern warranted?

5. As Heidi prepares to return to her grandfather, she carefully chooses to wear her red shawl and old straw hat, leaving her feathered hat at Brigitta's house. Why is her choice of clothing so significant to her? What does the book convey about the importance of clothing?

6. Heidi's favorite story, gifted to her by Grandmamma Sesemann, is about a shepherd. She cherishes the picture because it reminds her of home, but she also loves the story itself. What is the story about? Why is it essential to the book's theme? Consider her reading it to her grandfather when evaluating its importance.

7. When the grandfather and Heidi attend church for the first time, the pastor tells him, "Neighbor, you went into the right church before you came to mine." What does he mean by this?

8. Peter is Heidi's friend, but in several ways, he is not a particularly admirable character. What are his strengths and weaknesses? How does he evolve throughout the book?

9. Heidi experiences several sorrows and disappointments in the book, but everything resolves positively in the end. List the challenges she faces and discuss how she overcomes each one. Do you notice any overall pattern in her methods of dealing with difficulties?