1. As I was reading the book, the terms "brave" and "hero" kept coming to mind. Who do you think was brave in the story? Who could be called a "hero"?

2. How did you feel about Alex's parents not spending the night with her during her hospital visits?

3. Were you surprised that the marriage survived the tragedy? What did the parents do that helped keep their marriage together?

4. There was an episode in the hospital when a doctor didn't believe Alex when she said her lung had collapsed again. Do you think that incident was typical for that time, the 1970s? Do you think it could still happen today, in 2006?

5. Identify some incidents when Alex tried to protect her parents from any bad news. How did you feel about that?

6. What actions did the students and teachers from Alex's school take during her illness and after her death? How do you think those actions helped everyone to cope with the tragedy?

7. When do you think the Defords should have told Alex and Chris that Alex was going to die?

8. How did you feel about the adoption?

9. The events in the story took place prior to 1980. Are you aware of any breakthroughs in the treatment of cystic fibrosis that have occurred since then?

Created March 2006