What methods and tactics do Miranda and her family use to survive? What kind of attitude and values are needed for survival? Who does not survive and why?

Discuss sacrifice in this story. Who sacrifices something and why? When is sacrifice meaningful, and is it ever meaningless?

Discuss faith in this story. In your answer you should think about different kinds of faith, such as religious faith, faith in family and others, and faith in oneself.

What lessons does Miranda learn in this story? How does she change and why? Is she a better person at the end of the book?

How does this story represent civilization? What is civilization and what things are needed to keep it going? Does it ever fall apart in this book, or does it just feel like it for the people involved?

Discuss love in this story. What...