1. He too, is like the mussel, she thinks. He's rooted to his island; his byssus is just as strong. To tear him loose would kill him (p. 82).

Murray thinks of Lizzie Island as a paradise, and can't imagine living anywhere else. How do Hannah, Squid, and Alastair's views of the island differ from Murray's -- and from each other's? Do they all need the island in the same way? Imagine growing up on an island with only your family. In what ways do you think you'd turn out differently?

2. If you didn't grow up on a tiny island, how has where you live shaped your identity? Think about geography, climate, local society, culture, economic conditions, etc. Draw parallels between your life and the book.

3. There are many secrets in this story. What are the major revelations that emerge late in the book? What are Hannah and Alastair, in particular, thinking or feeling that they don't tell anyone else? How does keeping secrets affect a relationship?

4. Alastair says, "Don't do something if there's a single person -- anywhere -- that you don't want to know what you're doing" (p. 66). Do you agree with this principle? Are there exceptions? (And don't say planning a surprise party!)

5. As [Murray] took each book from the box, he set it onto one of the four stacks he was making: one for each McCrae. Hannah looked at the titles and saw how he was building Alastair and Squid, and even herself, into the people he thought they should be (p. 127). In a variety of ways, Murray exerts a strong influence on the family. Why does he have such a powerful role, especially compared to Hannah? How does Murray's vision of what each family member should be differ from his or her own vision? What is Murray's vision of himself -- do you think it changes after Alastair's death and Squid leaves the island?

6. The characters have different ways of dealing with conflict and problems. Squid bounces from topic to topic, Hannah becomes resentful, Alastair isolates himself in his writing and work. Flesh out each character's style, including Murray's, and find examples in the book. Who are you most like?

7. The characters have different ways of dealing with conflict and problems. Squid bounces from topic to topic, Hannah becomes resentful, Alastair isolates himself in his writing and work. Flesh out each character's style, including Murray's, and find examples in the book. Who are you most like?

8. Look back at Alastair's diary entries. What are the themes, or major questions, that arise? What did Alastair want? What do you think he needed?

9. In your eyes, what does the whale symbolize in this story? Recall its various appearances throughout the book, Alastair's work on whale song, and what he writes about drowning. Why does the whale need to die in the end, rather than just leave the waters around the island?

10. Extreme events -- Alastair's death, Squid's pregnancy -- change the family. What do you think would have happened to the characters' lives in the absence of any definitive events? Think about a time in your life when it was hard to break the status quo, even though you knew it needed to be changed. What finally lead to change?

11. What is one idea or lesson from this book that can help you think about how you want to live your life? Think about your views on family, raising children, marriage, personal goals, etc.

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"A beautiful, unsettling story."

—Booklist

"A must-read for lovers of tales rich in setting, atmosphere, and human understanding."

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"This lyrical novel is an experience not to be forgotten."

—School Library Journal, Starred

"With adult characters every bit as memorable as the teen characters, Lawrence's novel may well attract a wide adult readership."

—Publishers Weekly, Starred

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Courtesy of Delacorte Books for Young Readers

ReadingGroupGuides.com -- AuthorsOnTheWeb.com -- AuthorYellowPages.com
Teenreads.com -- Kidsreads.com