1. How does the author demonstrate the time period throughout the story?

2. Through brief passages preceding some chapters, MacDonald offers the reader small tidbits of information pertaining to the story that would otherwise remain unknown. Why do you think the author uses this narrative technique?

3. In what ways do you feel Madeline grows and changes throughout the novel?

4. There are many different definitions of "home" in this novel. What does "home" mean to each character and how does the definition change with time?