1. Why does the story start so long before Sangay's adventure?

2. Why is there a tradition for one son from each family to become a monk?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tradition?

3. What are the responsibilities of Sangay and the other children in his family?

4. What are the boys being taught in the monastery? For what are they being prepared?

5. Why are so many of Sangay's adventures described? Why does not the author just write "after many hardships, Sangay arrived at Shambhala" and then concentrate on his actions there?

6. If Jatsang is a woman, why does Sangay have no romantic attraction to her? Is he too young?

7. If writers are expected to "write what they know," how could Kernaghan write a novel set long ago in a place she has never been?

8. Why does the author describe so much of the natural...