1. Kate, Laioni, and Jody all experience a sense of loss because someone they love has died. Compare and contrast their responses. How alike or how different are they?

2. Jody defines courage as the willingness to take a risk, while Kate finds courage best when she faces certain defeat. Compare Jody's and Kate's view of courage.

Which other characters in the novel demonstrate courage and under what circumstances.

3. Barron says that he was very conscious of needing to create an authentic female voice for Kate. Do you think he succeeded? In what ways are Kate's voice and character distinctively female?

How would this story be different if Kate were a boy?

4. Barron uses figurative language to create the setting and characters in this story. Find examples of figurative language devices, including simile, metaphor, and personification, and explain how they are used in the text.

5. What...