Who is May Amelia? Why has she run away in the opening chapter of the book? What is this day? What is special about it? Where has May Amelia run to? What happens when May Amelia attempts to catch fish for dinner? Why is May Amelia's father angry with her? Who is waiting at home for May Amelia when she returns? What gifts does May Amelia receive?

Who is Lonny Petersen? What happened to him when he was a small child? What has this accident done to Lonny? What caused it? What does this accident predict as the novel progresses? What happens to Lonny toward the end of the novel? Why does May Amelia decide to clean his house? How does this act help Lonny? How does it help May Amelia?

Who is Kaarlo? Why does Kaarlo want to live in Astoria? Why does...