1. Why does Anna feel uneasy around Caleb? What connection does she make between him and her mother's passing? Is it reasonable for her to associate Caleb with her mother's death?

2. Although Sarah is lonely, she previously declined marriage proposals before responding to Papa's ad. Why would she choose to move in with strangers on the prairie when there are men in Maine willing to marry her?

3. What is the significance of Sarah singing "Sumer Is Icumen In"?

4. Why is Sarah so surprised to discover the dead sheep?

5. Sarah teaches Anna and Caleb how to swim. How does this influence their developing bond?

6. Maggie, the wife of a neighbor, shares with Sarah that "there are always things to miss, no matter where you are." Each of them—Maggie, Sarah, and Anna—misses something. What does each character long for, and what does this reveal to the readers about them?

7. Sarah insists on helping Papa fix the roof and wants to learn to drive a horse and wagon. Why doesn't she allow Papa to fix the roof alone, especially since it's a challenging task and a storm is approaching? Why does she want to drive the wagon herself when Papa could take her anywhere she wants?

8. Why does Sarah rush out into a fierce storm to care for her chickens? What is your opinion of the description of the storm itself?

9. Caleb mentions that Sarah's drawing lacks the colors of the sea. Why is this detail significant?