Linda begins the book with her earliest memory.  How does this first memory relate to themes in the book?  Share your first memory.  Did your first memory impact your life?

Linda explored nature by herself.  Many ornithologists and others employed as scientists describe falling in love with birds, insects, and trees from the freedom to explore nature alone as a child. Natural settings such as parks and wildlife areas may not be safe for children to explore alone.  Will science be affected by this lack of independent and immersed exploration?

How does University City differ from the area you grew up in, and how is it similar?

Explain why the setting is a main character in this book?

Identify reoccurring symbols throughout the book? How do these symbols give meanings?

The book takes place between 1954 and 1966.  Why does Linda’s mother insist she go to secretarial school and marry a lawyer? What were your parents’ dreams for you?  Did your parents support your dreams? 

What is it like to be a part of the majority population growing up?  What is it like being a minority?

Why did junior high school become a breaking point for Linda? There may be several reasons! Have you or a child of yours had similar experiences?  While growing up, did you have a mentor other than a parent? Explain a situation when someone offered life changing advice, or you had a life changing discussion with someone.  

Does Linda believe that University City will never be the same?  Have you ever mourned the loss of a place such as Linda’s mansion or the city itself?

Linda wants cultures to get along in her neighborhood.  Why is it easier to leave? Is that the best decision?  Why do people like to be with people of their culture?

What does Linda mean by she could live anywhere if people accepted her and understood her?  How is Linda proud of her Judaism, yet afraid?  

Linda likes being called quirky.  How is she quirky?  Is there a difference between being right and being quirky? What did you think of such an opinionated child?

If you are not Jewish, how did you react to Linda’s conversations with her mother about Jesus?  If you are Jewish, did the comments have meaning for you?

Linda’s dad changed the financial situation of the family.  How did that end up liberating family members?

Did you converse with your parents as if you were always an adult?  Did you have meaningful conversations growing up with your mom, dad, or another adult?  Why did Linda seek adult company?

What do you think about the writer trying to make a connection between the Roberts family possibly using the homestead to start a Black community like John C. Roberts’ mentor did in the late 1800s?

If you check the University City, Missouri, statistics, how does the Epilogue confirm people’s fears and why they left University Forest Estates? What are the factors that bring academic success to a community and families? How is your neighborhood like one of the communities described in the book?

Examine Linda’s friendships. How do friendships influence who you become and the choices you make?

Were there any moments you laughed or became teary-eyed while reading the book?

What themes do you take away from Linda’s relationship with her mother?

What role do trees play in the thematic composition of the book?

What role did Louisa May Alcott have in the themes of this book? Did you ever have an author who guided your life decisions?