1. Although Buck tells this story, Kate and Polly are very strong characters. Using Hilary Crew's article as a reference, explore Peck's use of a strong female character in this and other novels.

2. Point of view can be very important to a story. Discuss the effect that Buck's telling the story has on the development of the plot. How might the novel have been different if it had been told by Polly? by Kate? by Trav?

3. Explore the symbolism of the pear orchard. What do the orchard and the poem that Trav writes and that Kate recites for her audition mean to each of the main characters in the book?

4. There are two groups of three friends in the novel: Trav, Kate, and Buck; Scotty, Irene, and Mr. Mendenhall. How are they alike and how are they different? What effect does...