1. Discuss the differences between atheism and agnosticism.

2. In this story Pete decides to leave his parents and his home to follow the Preacher Man and bring the Word to sinners everywhere. Is this believable?

Critic Betsy Hearne says, "Neither the Preacher nor his services . . . are vividly enough rendered to make totally convincing Pete's decision to leave a home he loves." Do you agree with her?

3. What about Pete's isolated environment caused him to be more gullible?

4. While reading, mark each time the phrase "the telling" is used. Why did the author repeat it several times?

5. At the beginning of the book Peter is thirteen and he begins to give an extremely detailed account of what happened a year before. He explains his feelings throughout. Is it believable that a boy could tell a story like this a year later with so much clarity and detail...