1. Until he meets Walter, Cloyd really has no one in his life to whom he feels responsible. Why did Hobbs create his main character as someone with so little adult supervision?

2. What role does Rusty play in the novel? Why is his shooting of the bear necessary?

3. Hobbs opens the book with Cloyd visiting his father in the hospital. Since Cloyd's father is in a coma, what possible reason can Hobbs have for beginning the story with that scene?

4. After all of his work to erect them, why does Cloyd destroy the fence posts?

5. Through much of the book Cloyd expresses his desire to return to his tribe. When he is given the chance to do so, he declines—why?

6. Cloyd is very excited by his discovery of the stone bear. What does the bear signify to Cloyd? Why is it so special...