Discuss your initial impressions of Melody and the Professor and how these impressions change over the course of the novel. Why might the author have allowed us to misunderstand these characters in the beginning?

What do you think of the way Jeff dealt with his mother in the final chapter of the book? Was trading the rings a good decision? How does that decision relate to Jeff's growth as a person?

How is Jeff's friendship with Phil and Andy different from his friendship with the Tillermans? What does this say about the importance and meaning of friendship in the novel?

Discuss the similarities and differences between the creek near Jeff's cabin in Maryland and the island in South Carolina. What do the two places mean to Jeff?

Melody and Dicey both tell lies in the novel. How are their lies different? Can lying ever be...