1. The first chapter does not say exactly what has happened to Carley, but the author
provides the reader with several hints. What can you infer about Carley and her current
situation from the first chapter? Use specific details to support your inferences.
2. On page 4, Carley thinks, “And I hope that I do not like her.” Why do you think she
would have that wish about her foster mother?
3. Carley counts a lot. She counts the stairs at the Murphys’, she counts the leaves on the
wreath... Why do you think that she counts?
4. In chapter 5, Carley says, "Funny how something can be defined by the one thing that
makes it different from everything else. Like 'foster kid.'" Or a giraffe with its long
neck like Michael Eric points out. If you had to define yourself by one thing that
makes you different from everyone else, what would you say?
5) Carley hasn’t cried in over a year. What do you think about that?
6) Do you like Carley? Why or why not?
