Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

1. Why does the author give Piper the special ability of flying?

What does this skill symbolize in the context of the story?

2. On page 7, Piper tries to confide in her father that she has "an itch"

that she can't get at. What is this itch, and why don't her parents understand?

3. Early in the book, Piper talks about her purpose in life. What is this purpose? What is the purpose for Mr. and Mrs. McCloud?

What about Dr. Hellion?

4. Before Piper leaves for I.N.S.A.N.E., her father presents her with a wooden bird that he carved. What does the bird represent?

5. The school Piper goes to is called I.N.S.A.N.E., the Institute of

Normalcy, Stability, And NonExceptionality. Think about the words that make up the acronym. Do they make up an idea that could be considered insane?

6. After a difficult start at I.N.S.A.N.E., Piper has an easy time making friends with most of the other kids. Why is she more well-liked at

I.N.S.A.N.E. than in Lowland County? How might the other kids at

I.N.S.A.N.E. have been treated at home before they came to

I.N.S.A.N.E.?

7. Why does Dr. Hellion pay special attention to Piper? Has Piper become a special threat to Dr. Hellion, when the other kids have not?

8. Dr. Hellion talks about her little brother and sister. How has this tragic event in Dr. Hellion's past made her who she is today?

Why wasn't she ever able to accept who she truly is?

9. When Conrad goes from being Conrad Harrington III to just plain Conrad, how does this changes him? Would he have been able to move on with his life if this change never happened?

10. In what ways do the McClouds change Conrad for the better, and in what ways does Conrad change the McClouds?

11. If you could have any super-power like the kids in this book, what

would it be? And how would you use it to help other people?