Personal integrity is the hallmark of Penny Baxter's character. Discuss the specific consequences of his insistence on honesty and conservancy, speculating on how things might have turned out differently had he compromised his values.

Characters as foils to each other are common in literature. Consider how Grandma Hutto and Nelli Ginright are foils to Ora Baxter, and discuss what this tells us about Jody and Penny's loyalty to "Ma."

Jody's peers in this novel are limited to three: Fodder Wing, Eulalie, and the ferry boy. What does his encounter with each one reveal about his own struggle to grow up? If you might encounter only three peers in the next year, what three types of people would you choose to help you recognize your inner struggles and goals?

Ties to hearth and home are universal. As Jody experiences the comforts of Grandma Hutto's cottage, the...