1. There are many mothers in this book --- Rickie, obviously, and Melanie and Laurel and Sandra (Gabriel’s mother) and Melanie’s mother and all of the school mothers. Who does your own mother most resemble? If you’re a mother, which mother do you think is most like you? Is that also your favorite mother in the book? If not, why not?

2. At the beginning of the novel, Gabriel and Melanie have just separated because he’s been unfaithful. At the end, they’ve reunited. Do you think they’ll make it? Why or why not? Do you think she should have forgiven him sooner? Or maybe not at all? What’s unforgivable when it comes to marriage? Anything?

3. Do you know any kids like Noah --- kids who just “march to the beat of a different drummer”? Do you think adults should try to make them fi t in better or let them do their own thing?

4. If you had to describe Rickie, would you say she’s tough or vulnerable? Why? Is she a reliable narrator? Can you think of any point in the novel when Rickie is absolutely wrong about something and doesn’t realize it for a while?

5. Rickie notices how uncommon it is to have a male teacher in the Fenwick Prep elementary school. Have you noticed this to be the case in your community? Why do you think they tend to be rare?

6. In one scene, Rickie watches as Noah gets up to bat, wishing more than anything that he’ll get a base hit --- or even make contact with the ball. Have you ever wanted something for someone else more than you wanted anything in the world for yourself?

7. What do you think of the way Rickie handles Noah’s questions about his father? If you were in her boat, would you demand financial or other kinds of support from him?

8. Rickie’s mother says toward the end of the novel that sometimes when things go wrong, kids need someone safe to get mad at and that a mother “gives” them that --- lets them get mad at her and forgives them. Do you think that’s true? Has that ever played out in your life in some way?