Kristin Butcher... has novel ideas

Chapters 1 - 5

1. Why has Nick run away from home?

2. Who is Cole, and why doesn't Nick like him?

3. Luther is a vagrant. What does that mean?

4. Where does Nick spend the night?

5. When Luther and Nick meet up in the McIntyre Mansion, Nick at first thinks Luther is a ghost. What things cause him to imagine that? Why does Luther let Nick think he is a ghost?

6. Nick and Luther talk for quite a while. During their conversation, how does the author hint that Luther and Nick may meet again? What is the reader's first clue that there is something mysterious about Luther?

7. When the police arrive to take Nick home, Nick thinks Luther told them where to find him. Why does he think that?

8. Nick gives himself up before the police can discover Luther. Why do you think he does that?

Chapters 6 - 10

1. How does Nick keep his friends from visiting the McIntyre Mansion?

2. Why doesn't Nick get in trouble for running away?

3. Why doesn't Nick tell anyone about Luther?

4. When Nick next sees Luther they are outside the Capizzi Center, and Nick experiences anger, shame, humiliation and self-doubt (p.47). Why?

5. Why does the security guard ask Luther to leave the Capizzi Center? Why does Nick interfere?

6. What makes Nick decide to return to the McIntyre Mansion?

7. How does Luther react to Nick's gift? What does this reaction tell the reader about Luther's character?

8. When Nick is assigned a school project on Life in Andersonville, what does he decide to do his report on? Why?

9. Why doesn't Nick's mother want him to interview street people? How does Nick convince her to let him do it?

10. How did Nick disobey Cole?

11. On Shore Street and Hope Avenue, Nick meets Julianna, Captain, Crystal and Mac. Explain who these characters are and tell something important Nick learns from each of them.

12. What happens at the end of Chapter 10 to indicate Nick and Cole are becoming closer?

Chapters 11 - 15

1. What two things does Nick find in the metal box in Luther's room? What do these things tell Nick about Luther?

2. What Christmas gifts does Nick get for his mother and Cole? What does his choice in gifts say about Nick?

3. What does Nick give Luther for Christmas? What does this gift show about Nick's feelings for Luther?

4. What did Luther give Nick for Christmas? What does Nick find amazing about the gift?

5. While talking with his mother about the baby on the way, Nick discovers he and Cole share the same name. Though the author doesn't come right and tell the effect this has on Nick, she hints that this information gets Nick thinking. What is he thinking?

6. Aside from his baby things, Nick makes an important discovery while he and his mother are in the attic. What does he find out?

7. By looking through his books at home and by doing research at the library, Nick finds out many things about Luther. List the things he discovers.

8. What startling information does Cole dig up for Nick?

Chapters 16 -18

1. Why does Nick tell Luther what he found out about him?

2. Afterwards, Nick regrets having poked into Luther's past and telling Luther his discoveries. Why?

3. What lie does Nick tell his mother on the first day of school after the Christmas break? What is the truth?

4. When Nick arrives at the McIntyre Mansion, what does he discover? Why does this upset him?

5. Who follows Nick to the McIntyre Mansion?

6. Why does Nick start to grin when he heard Cole talking on the telephone?

7. Why does Cole have to return to the newspaper?

8. What surprise does Cole give Nick in his office?

9. Why does Luther come to see Cole?

10. What does Nick do with the cheque he earned from the newspaper?

11. What decision does Luther make about the last book he wrote? Why does he make this decision?