Discuss how Ellen’s voice drives the novel. What expressions, vocabulary, or ways of thought does Gibbons use to characterize Ellen? What limitations do you see in using the first-person point of view of a child? What advantage does this perspective grant the author or reader?

Analyze the dual narrative strands and discuss how they work together to build the story. What does it add knowing right away that the Ellen speaking to the reader is doing so from a place of security? Discuss why you think Gibbons might have made that choice.

Discuss the friendship between Ellen and Starletta. What does Starletta teach Ellen over the course of the novel? How does Starletta help Ellen mature?