| 1. | In what ways does the title relate to the book and what does the it mean to Adam, Hattie and Leila? |
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| 2. | How important is the carnival to the events in the book and to Hattie and Adam? |
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| 3. | Why does the whole family keep Adam's existence a secret from Hattie and the town? |
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| 4. | What are some of the secrets the characters keep and why do they keep them? |
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| 5. | How do those secrets affect the people keeeping them and those close to them? |
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| 6. | Would those people still feel the need to keep those secrets if the story took place now or in a city? |
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| 7. | Why is Hattie's friendship with Leila so important to her? Why is it easier for her to make friends with Leila than some of the other girls in town? |
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| 8. | Would you like to have Hattie or Leila for a friend? |
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| 9. | What did Hattie like about adam and what did she dislike? What did you like and dislike about Adam? |
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| 10. | Why does Hattie feel responsible for Adam? |
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| 11. | How does Hattie change from the beginning of the story to the end? |
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| 12. | Did reading this book change your feeling or perceptions of those with mental illnesses or disabilities? |
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| 13. | Why do you think it is hard for people to appreciate the differences in other people? |
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| 14. | How do you think people would react to Adam if they met him today? |
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| 15. | Are attitudes toward mental illness the same now as they were in the book which was set in the 1960's? |
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| 16. | How does Adam effect the lives of the those people who take the time to get to know him? |
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| 17. | How did you feel about Angel Valentine during most of the book? Did your feelings toward her change after Adam died? |
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| 18. | Did you have a favorite part of the book- one that you thought was humerous or sad? |
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| 19. | Who was your favorite character- why? |
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| 20. | Would you recommend this novel to your friends- why or why not? |
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