1. On the surface, Carrie appeared to be a person who wasn’t firmly grounded. Describe the changes she underwent.

2. Aside from providing Carrie with a home, what did Daniel give to her? What did she give to him?

3. How did Carrie’s perceptions of faith and prayer change? At what point did she have a sense of her own self? What caused that growth?

4. Jacob Weaver, Carrie’s father, never wanted Solomon Riehl to marry Carrie. He said, “I won’t let my daughter marry a man who takes care of himself first.” Was his opinion of Sol too harsh? Why or why not?

5. What kind of a person was Esther Weaver? What compels her to adhere so strictly to the laws and traditions of the Amish faith?

6. What core beliefs did Mattie have that allowed her to be a loyal friend to Carrie despite loving Sol?

7. Did it surprise you when you read that Mattie and Sol had become engaged? Did you think Sol loved her? Or needed her? Or both?

8. How would you describe Carrie and Abel’s relationship? What drew them together?

9. Why did Emma choose eloping with Steelhead over being Amish? What kind of future do you see for them?

10. Did it bother you that Carrie had evidence to pin arson charges on Veronica McCall but chose not to? The Amish prefer to suffer injustice rather than to instigate legal suits. Do you think Carrie stood her ground? Or did Veronica McCall get the upper hand?

11. If you had to identify yourself with just one of the characters in this novel, who would it be? Why?

12. Did you learn anything new about the Amish life in reading this novel?