1. One of the author's themes is the importance of friendship. Does Alanna choose her friends wisely? How does each of her friends help Alanna in the course of the story?

2. Alanna chooses to stay with the Bahzir tribe to train their future shamans. This is her way of taking responsibility for killing Ibn Nazzir, the old shaman. What are some other ways in which Alanna takes responsibility for herself and her actions?

3. Faithful, the cat, seems to have a sixth sense for trouble. What are some of the ways in which Faithful's remarks to Alanna foreshadow the upcoming events in the plot?

4. What does Alanna teach the Bahzir tribe that adopts her, and what do they teach her? What do you think the author is trying to say about the need for change and the importance of tradition? Can change...