1. One critic has written that "a price must be paid" is a major, recurring theme in Sebestyen's works. The critic states: "Everything has its price. To gain something, you must lose something. And the dearer the prize, the greater the cost." Write a paper on how this correlates to the plot in IOU's.

2. In the beginning of this story, Stowe wants to win a sweepstakes.

Research articles which describe the results of people winning lotteries or sweepstakes. Write a paper on the immediate and long term gains or losses for these people.

3. When Horseless loses its mirror in the grocery store parking lot, Annie says, "We get the message. Never look back, right?" Discuss this idea as it applies to the various characters in the novel's end.

4. Read another of Sebestyen's works: Words by Heart or Far from Home.

Discuss...