1. In what ways does the novel intertwine innocence with mental challenges, and how does Nolan portray these traits among her characters? Do her depictions strike a chord of realism, or do they verge on stereotypes and hyperbole?

2. How do characters navigate the stormy seas of abuse? What alternative responses could have reshaped the narrative's course?

3. What role does food play as a pivotal ingredient in the tapestry of this narrative?

4. How do characters wrestle with gaining or surrendering their independence?

5. Does Nolan's finale resonate with the story's trajectory, or does it clash with expectations? What conclusion did you envision, and how might you craft a different ending?

6. Explore the portrayal of friendship within the circles of family, kin, and acquaintances. How do characters weave the threads of sharing into the fabric of friendship?

7. Why does school hold a significant place for JP? How do his evolving attitudes and actions within its walls mirror the shifts in his persona?

8. Which characters shoulder the heaviest burdens of responsibility, and how does this shape their own narratives alongside those of the less capable? What drives JP's sense of estrangement from his kin?

9. How does Nolan paint the portrait of family, and why is the O'Brien household a beacon of belonging for each character? How does familial rejection sculpt their actions? What are their Achilles' heels and their bastions of strength?

10. Which elements of the story flirt with serendipity, incredibility, or exaggeration, and how does the tale flirt with the whimsical world of fairy tales?