1. In Chapter 16, Chris becomes extremely upset about ostriches having been put in the same pen as the barking deer. But is there more that is upsetting her than this? What is it? What is Chris "taking out," as Charley puts it, on the ostriches?

2. How is the Christmas season atmosphere of Chapters 12-14 appropriate for the developments that are taking place in Chris and Charley's characters?

3. How do you feel about Chris's relationship with her mother? Is she taking the right steps by standing up to her and trying to become more independent? Do you feel that Chris is in any way being disrespectful and uncaring? Why or why not?

4. At the beginning of the novel Chris attacks Charley for being an "arrogant meddler" (Chapter 2). Is this an accurate assessment of Charley or is Chris as wrong about her perception of his character as...