1. What is the significance of the title The Birds of Summer?

2. Why does Summer wish to get away from Alvarro and experience life on her own?

3. How do Summer and Sparrow each cope with their loneliness?

4. Do Summer's letters effectively ease the pain she feels for not having a father? Why or why not?

5. Summer, Sparrow, and Nicky all undergo some frightening experiences.

How do you think these experiences will affect them in later years?

6. Is it good to imagine situations, as Sparrow does, that make life seem less cruel and bleak?

7. Why do you think Oriole is so irresponsible as a mother?

8. How do the Olivers attempt to solve Summer and Sparrow's problems? What do you think of the solutions they offer?

9. Do you agree or disagree with Summer's final decision concerning Sparrow?