Discuss Casey's reaction to the hospitalization of people in her lives. Compare Casey's reaction to Barney's hospitalization at the opening of the novel to her reaction to Paw-Paw's hospitalization at the end of the novel. How do Casey's reactions to these hospitalizations show how her character has changed over the duration of the novel?

Discuss Casey's relationship with her hands. How does Casey's view of her hands when she first arrived in Chinatown reflect her cultural awareness as well as her feeling of home?

"I noticed that my hand on the windowsill was colored a honey kind of tan like some of the people outside. I took my hand off the handle and stared at it" (Page 34).

How does Casey's view of her hands change as the novel progresses, particularly after she's heard the story of the owl?

Describe Casey's relationship with her extended...