Compare and contrast Evan and Celeste. How do their personalities shape their reactions to their father’s abandonment and their move to Haddington? How do their differing approaches to these challenges reflect their personal growth throughout the novel? Use examples from the text to illustrate their development.

Examine the theme of systemic prejudice in the novel. How do the Paos experience systemic racism and bias in their new community? Analyze specific incidents, such as interactions with law enforcement or school assignments, to explain how the novel portrays systemic prejudice and how the family responds to it.

Analyze the portrayal of bullying in the novel. What motivates the bullies, particularly Brady Griggs? How do their actions impact Evan and other characters? How is the issue of bullying resolved, and what does this resolution say about the broader themes of the novel? Use specific examples to support your answer.

Explore the impact of Michael Pao’s actions on the Pao family. How does his abandonment shape the lives and emotional states of Evan, Celeste, and Elaine? What do their responses to his absence reveal about their personalities and coping mechanisms? Provide text evidence to support your analysis.

Examine the significance of Evan’s unique ability to detect lies. How does this ability influence his relationships with others, including his family and classmates? In what ways does this skill serve as both a blessing and a burden? Use specific examples to explain its impact on the novel’s events and themes.

Discuss the role of the silent treatment in the story. How does the classmates’ silent treatment of Brady Griggs symbolize both exclusion and collective justice? How does this act bring the community together while isolating an individual? Use specific incidents to illustrate your response.

Analyze the importance of Evan’s discovery of Chinese soldiers in the Civil War. How does learning about their contributions affect Evan’s self-perception and sense of belonging? How does this discovery challenge the perspectives of others in Haddington? Support your response with examples from the text.

Examine the evolving significance of Battlefield Day. How do the characters’ attitudes toward this reenactment event change throughout the novel? What does the event ultimately symbolize for Evan and his classmates? Use specific examples to explain its importance.