1. Charley is terrified by his first experience of combat. Why does he go back out onto the same meadow to face the same enemy when he is ordered to?

2. Why would Paulsen choose to make a novel out of the real-life experiences of Charley Goddard rather than a biography?

3. Soldier's Heart has some very gruesome scenes. Are these scenes appropriate for a book intended for young adult readers? Why would Paulsen put them in his book?

4. Soldier's Heart has a sad ending. Should young adult books have only happy, uplifting endings? Why would someone write a sad book for young adults?

5. Soldier's Heart was named Booklist's Top of the List winner for Youth Fiction in the magazine's January 1, 1999 issue.

There were many works of fiction for youth published the same year Soldier's Heart was. What qualities does it have that would inspire people to...