Killers of the Flower Moon (Adapted for Young Readers): The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• This book explores a troubling part of American history and culture. Which aspects of the story were most upsetting or shocking to you? Which aspects did you find inspiring or hopeful?
• How would you describe the tone and style of the book? How do these impact your reaction to the book’s difficult and emotional subject matter?
• What other books or movies dealing with the historical oppression of Indigenous peoples are you familiar with? How does Killers of the Flower Moon’s portrayal of the Osage and the outsiders who perpetrated violence against them compare to other portrayals of Indigenous peoples and their oppressors?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Which character or characters did you most relate to in this story? How might your own identity and personal values impact your answer?
• What did you learn about Osage culture from reading this book? What aspects of Osage culture or history might you like to explore further?
• Killers of the Flower Moon takes place long ago. How much has the world changed or failed to change in the years since this story took place? What kinds of prejudice have you seen in your own lifetime? 
• Mollie’s culture is very important to her. What culture do you most identify with, and how important is your cultural background to you? How does this affect your feelings about the book’s themes?
• What is the difference between greed and ambition? Do you think greed is always wrong, or are there circumstances where it is acceptable? How do the events of this book support your ideas?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• What is “generational trauma”? Besides the Osage, what other groups have experienced generational trauma in the United States? What evidence is there in the story that the murders may have created generational trauma? Do you think Grann offers enough insight into this larger context?
• How are the tactics of governmental authorities portrayed in this book? Do you see some of these same strengths and weaknesses in today’s governmental authorities?
• How much do you think most Americans know about the Osage murders? How much do they know about the histories of America’s Indigenous groups in general? Why do you think this is? How do your answers relate to Grann’s purpose in writing this book?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• On page 11, the author describes two types of flowers on Osage land. How does the relationship between these flowers symbolize the relationship between the Osage and outsiders? 
• An important thematic focus of the story is the relationship between greed, prejudice, and justice. How do various characters use prejudice to justify immoral actions that profit them, personally? How much responsibility for this does the book seem to place on the individuals themselves, and how much responsibility does the book seem to place on their larger society and culture?
• Why does Grann call Mollie a “traveler in the mist”? What characteristics make Mollie an appealing main character for a mainstream contemporary audience? What evidence is there in the story that she is viewed as a leader by her own Osage people?
• On page 91, Grann describes the lights appearing outside Osage houses, “their collective glow conquering the dark.” How does Grann use light as a symbol of the collective strength of the community? What evidence is there in the text that supports the idea of this collective strength?
• How do the second and third parts of the book deepen and change your understanding of Mollie’s story? How do the shifts in perspective in the second and third parts affect your impression of whose story this really is? 

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• When Ernest walks out of the courtroom on his way to prison, he smiles at Mollie, but she does not return his smile. What do you imagine Mollie is thinking and feeling at this moment? What are some of the things she might want to say to Ernest?
• Killers of the Flower Moon has been made into a movie. The movie focuses heavily on Mollie’s relationship with Ernest, and it gives away fairly early the role that William Hale plays in the murders. It does not focus as much on the history of the Osage’s wealth or the FBI investigation of the murders, and it does not focus at all on Grann’s process of reporting. Are these the choices you would make if you were making a movie version of this book? Why or why not?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.