Topic 1

How does the relationship between Joey and Mary Alice and their Grandma change over the years? What makes this relationship different than their life in Chicago?

Topic 2

Why does Joey often feel conflicted with the actions of his Grandmother? How does he reconcile this in his mind?

Topic 3

Why did Grandma switch her pie at the country fair? Why did this cause internal conflict for Joey? What additional understanding does he have of his Grandma after this incident?

Topic 4

How did the Great Depression effect the characters in the book? Do you think the stories would be different, or even have occurred, during a different time period?

Topic 5

How did Grandma Dowdel show her love for Joey and Mary Alice? How did she show friendship with Effie Wilcox and Aunt Puss Chapman?

Topic 6

How does age and time effect the way Joey and Mary Alice view...