Discuss the importance of the setting of the novel. How does moving to a smaller, rural town affect Charlie? How would her journey be different if she moved to a larger suburb or more urban environment?

Many of Charlie’s wish scenarios involve birds, either seeing them or hearing them. Why did Barbara O’Connor make this narrative choice? Do the birds symbolize a larger thematic element?

O’Connor identifies Scrappy’s problem in the narrative, but she leaves the specific details of Carla’s issue less clear. What do you think is the specific nature of Carla’s parenting deficiencies? Why did O’Connor choose to be more nebulous with those details?