Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- How do trauma and chaos contribute to Ellie's coming-of-age? How about for the others?
- In what ways does Ellie change by the end of the book? How do you think she might change by the end of the series? Why do you predict these changes?
- How does the story coming from Ellie's perspective influence the way we experience the war? What might change if it were from Homer's perspective? Or Lee's?
- How is religion handled by Marsden (a.k.a. the author)? Is there a clear message about religion?
- How are gender relations depicted in this story? What about class?
- How does race play a role in this story? Is it absent? If so, what do you think that means?
- What political messages do you get from the book?
- What is the biggest mistake the teens make? What advice would you give them?