A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff is a charming and imaginative novel for upper elementary students that blends mystery, adventure, and a hint of magic. If you enjoyed The Mysterious Benedict Society or The One and Only Ivan, you’ll love following the quirky cast of characters in A Tangle of Knots. This story weaves themes of friendship, fate, and identity, creating a book that’s as sweet and layered as the cakes its main character, Cady, loves to bake. #atangleofknots
Fast Facts About the Book
Title: A Tangle of Knots
Author: Lisa Graff
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction, Magical Realism
Age Range: 8-12 years
Number of Pages: 230
Publication Year: 2013
Themes: Identity, Friendship, Destiny, Family, Resilience
Meet the author of A Tangle of Knots, Lisa Graff and learn about her inspiration in creating this wonderful story.
Novel Overview
A Tangle of Knots is a delightful, heartwarming story that will capture students' imaginations. Perfect for sparking discussions about individuality and connection, this book introduces readers to a world where almost everyone has a Talent—something special they're uniquely good at. Cady, a young girl with a Talent for cake-baking, crosses paths with other intriguing characters, each with their own struggles, secrets, and Talents. Lisa Graff masterfully intertwines these characters' lives, proving that even the smallest actions can have surprising outcomes. #lisagraff
Set in a world where Talents—special abilities that make people unique—are as common as freckles, A Tangle of Knots follows young Cady and an eclectic group of characters whose paths unexpectedly cross. Cady lives in an orphanage and is a cake-baking prodigy, but she longs for a family. Each character she encounters has a special Talent, from knot-tying to spitting with incredible accuracy, and as their lives entangle, secrets and surprising connections are revealed.
Chasing Chapters: Plot Summary
In A Tangle of Knots, Cady lives in Miss Mallory’s Home for Lost Girls and uses her baking Talent to create perfect cakes for anyone. But Cady’s life changes when she meets the eccentric owner of a boarding house and a man with a Talent for stealing other people’s Talents. As more characters are introduced, their stories converge in surprising ways, revealing an unexpected villain and the power of friendship, destiny, and choice. By the end, each character’s knot of connections becomes a beautiful pattern of unity and purpose.
Share A Tangle of Knots comprehension questions and 1-sentence summaries of every chapter with your class.
Educational Value
A Tangle of Knots is ideal for exploring themes of self-discovery, diversity, and resilience. Each character’s Talent reflects their personality and dreams, offering readers an opportunity to consider what makes them unique. The story also encourages discussions about fate versus free will, helping students think about how their choices impact others. Lisa Graff’s writing invites young readers to connect deeply with each character’s journey, providing a rich foundation for social-emotional learning.
Classroom Activities to Try
Writing Prompt: Imagine you have a unique Talent like Cady’s. What would it be, and how would it impact your life? Describe a day where you use your Talent to help others.
Discussion Questions:
How do the characters’ Talents influence their relationships?
Why is Cady’s Talent special, and how does it differ from other characters’ Talents?
What does A Tangle of Knots teach us about kindness and finding family?
Class Project: Create a “Talent Showcase” where students invent their own fictional Talent and describe how it affects their daily life. They can present their Talent through a drawing, a skit, or a short story.
Did you know? Lisa Graff worked as a children’s book editor before becoming an author, giving her unique insights into writing for kids. Also, Cady’s cake recipes in A Tangle of Knots were inspired by real recipes that readers can try at home.
Extension Activities
Cooking Activity: In the story, Cady’s cake-baking Talent is central to her character. Try recreating one of Cady’s recipes in class or encourage students to bake their own favorite dessert at home to share with their families. This activity can lead to discussions about how baking is a blend of art and science.
Art Project - Knot Creations: Since knots play a special role in the story, invite students to create their own “knot art.” They can make friendship bracelets, learn basic macrame, or even design a “character connection map” that illustrates how each person in the story is tied to the others.
Friendship Web: On a large bulletin board, create a “Friendship Web” where each student writes about their personal Talent or strength and connects it with a string to others. This visual exercise reinforces the story’s message that everyone has unique strengths, and together we create a beautiful pattern.
Find more extension activities in my A Tangle of Knots resource.
Page-Turning Puzzles: Novel Trivia
How closely have you read the text in Lisa Graff's novel A Tangle of Knots? Can you remember tiny details to answer the trivia questions below? #noveltrivia
How many St. Anthony suitcases were ever created?
How old is Mason Darlington Burgess in the story? (Not in the prologue)
Where was Mason traveling in the prologue? What was his destination?
What place in Africa did Toby visit?
The Annual Cake Bakeoff is celebrating their ____ year of competition.
"Wisp, sprite, pixie, and waif were used throughout the novel to describe ___."
Find the answers to these trivia questions inside this A Tangle of Knots resource.
Hear about A Tangle of Knots Novel Study from educators like you!
⭐️ “This resource is AMAZING! Differentiate in every way possible. I love the sample responses and my students love coloring the stickers to add to their collections.”
⭐️ “I love A Tangle of Knots and these worksheets were the perfect companion to the book. I can’t wait to purchase another novel study from MB Creations!”
⭐️ “I am blown away by this amazing resource! It is SO COMPLETE! I didn’t have to add anything extra. I printed the workbooks and assessments and we had an amazing novel study.”
Use A Tangle of Knots Novel Study in so many ways!
✅ Differentiate to meet the needs of all learners in your book club. Gifted students can complete projects about the novel as they read. Language learners can benefit from the character traits page with pictures and descriptions.
✅ Assign comprehension worksheets to students for homework. Have them take notes and come prepared to discuss this chapter book in class.
✅ Invite students to read A Tangle of Knots in small groups and complete these worksheets and discussion activities together.
Find answers to your questions about this A Tangle of Knots Novel Study:
✋ What is A Tangle of Knots?
This fictional chapter book, written by Lisa Graff, weaves together multiple characters who have special talents. It is written for grades 4-8 with a Lexile level of 840L.
✋ What exactly is included?
Check out the preview! The detailed table of contents can help answer your questions about this book study.
✋ Why should I use this resource?
PLEASE NOTE: This resource includes pages specific to the book, A Tangle of Knots, as well as ALL the pages in my "Novel Study for Any Book" resource. It's a 2-in-1 deal!
Students will be able to write and discuss facts about the author, novel, plot, setting, characters, and theme. You can edit the projects and discussion pages on PowerPoint and assign all worksheets digitally if you choose. Students will have fun collecting stickers when they finish projects related to the book and you can grade all worksheets with the answer keys and sample responses! #novelstudyforanybook
Keep the Adventure Going
If your class loved A Tangle of Knots, consider reading other middle-grade books with magical realism, such as The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo or Savvy by Ingrid Law. These books feature characters discovering their own unique powers, learning about friendship, and celebrating what makes them special.
A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff is sure to capture your students’ hearts and imaginations. With themes of fate, friendship, and finding one’s place in the world, this novel will inspire young readers to celebrate their own unique gifts and the power of connection.