Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Why does Plum-Ucci begin the book at Rothborne, rather than in Steepleton on a Sunday in church? How would your understanding of the mystery change if she'd begun with Chris missing?
- How does reading Torey's written document—Creed.doc—rather than just a story written by Plum-Ucci affect the way you read the story? Does it make the writing style more believable?
- What is it about Steepleton that makes these "Digger Haines" sagas happen over and over? Do the townspeople realize it? Why do they like to live there?
- What are the traits of some of the gossipy characters? What about the characters who are gossiped about? What is different about them? What is the same?
- What is the main message Plum-Ucci is sending with this novel? Is it easy to understand or does it get lost in the entertaining mystery?
- What does this story suggest about honor? What about happiness?
- Why does the weirdness stay after the weird kid leaves? What is the weirdness Torey talks about?
- What lessons does Torey learn from this situation? How has he changed? Has the town changed at all? Why not?
- Is the narrative style, written by a high school kid, believable? Did you think you were definitely reading a document written by a seventeen-year-old? Why or why not?
- Is this story a convincing argument against stereotyping and gossip? What makes you think so?