Nature versus Nurture

Does an individual act on their innate nature or the nurturing provided by their home and significant people in their life? The question of which is the more important aspect of character formation – nature or nurture – has been the topic of countless debates with no clear answer. The reader can assume that both play a role, though there is no doubt that people will do things in desperate situations that they might not otherwise do. Several of the characters of this novel provide looks into the effects of both nature and nurture.

Kelton McCracken is a teenage boy who travels with the group that includes Alyssa, Henry, Jacqui, and Garrett. He has grown up with a father who spent lots of money, time, and effort preparing his family for a disaster like the one that evolves when the water dries up. Richard McCracken is...