Complete

p. 1-38

1. How are Molly’s and Vivian’s early lives similar?  How did they each lose their family?

2. How does Vivian’s family story represent the typical immigrant story we’ve learned about?

3. What characteristics does Niamh (Vivian) have going against her in the search for adoption?

4. Why are children of certain ages chosen with greater preference over others?

p. 39 – 152

5. What are some of the fears that children had before they got picked for adoption?

6. When Mr. Curran says, “You have the chance to save a child from destitution, poverty, and …sin and depravity,” what can you tell about his attitudes about the orphans?

7. Why is Dutchy selected? What kind of future do you envision for him?

8. Why is Niamh picked?  Do you think she is lucky to be with the Byrnes?  Why or why not?

9. How is Dorothy’s (and Molly’s) work like indentured servitude?

10. What is life like with the Byrnes?

11. Why do you think Mrs. Byrne doesn’t like Catholics?

12. How did the Depression affect Dorothy’s placement?

13. What danger signs are very apparent immediately at the Grote house?

14. How is Dorothy’s claddagh necklace similar to Molly’s necklace?

15. How does the Indian concept of “portage” apply to both Molly and Dorothy?

16. How are Mrs. Grote and Niamh’s mother similar in their lot in life?

17. Why does Dorothy leave the Grotes?

Pgs 153- 273

18. What’s your reaction to Mr. Sorensen’s refusal to accept Dorothy’s version of events?

19. What does Molly find out about Vivian’s family on the Internet?

20. In the context of the Great Depression, why was it difficult to place Dorothy?

21. How is life better with the Neilsens?

22 How does seeing Mr. Byrne affect Dorothy?

23. How does Dorothy become Vivian?

24. How does Vivian transform the Neilsens’ store?

25. Why does Molly leave her foster parents?  What does she find out about her mother?

26. Who does Vivian meet at the Grand Hotel bar?  What was his adoption story?

27. How does the war affect Hemingford and Vivian?

28. Are you surprised by the decision Vivian makes about her baby?  Why or why not?

29. How does living with Vivian make Molly feel better?

30. What does Vivian find out about Baby Carmine?

31. How does the story resolve itself?

32. Do you think that this book has a strong feminist element to it?  Why or why not?