How does the author’s use of first-person narration shape the novel’s depiction of the two protagonists? How does alternating between Lenni and Margot’s perspectives and between flashbacks and the present build suspense?

At first glance, 17-year-old Lenni and 83-year-old Margot seem like unlikely companions. What factors draw them together? How does their friendship change them both? How does their relationship develop the novel’s themes of The Power of Friendship and The Importance of Sharing Stories?

Although Humphrey and Meena appear only in flashbacks, these supporting characters make significant contributions to the story. How do Margot’s two soulmates serve as narrative foils for one another, and how do they each advance her character development?