1. Is Alexa's father's refusal to let her go on the autumn muster justifiable?

2. Are Jim and Marty responsible parents? In what ways is Alexa's rebellion against them selfish or irresponsible?

3. How do shifts in point of view change your opinion of characters? For example, do you think differently of Tod when you see events from his angle rather than Alexa's?

4. In what ways could this story take place in any remote rural area around the world? In what ways is New Zealand an ideal setting?

5. How does Savage's interest in art influence both the content of the story and the way that she writes it?

6. Do you find Tod's rescue efforts believable? Would most brothers respond this way?

7. What symbolism does Savage develop through the images of water, especially the lake in the mountains and the various rivers?

8. How does Savage differentiate among human...