- How does Landon’s mother play the role of both mother and father? Is her influence enough to make up for his father’s absence?
- Conversely, how does Hegbert play the role of both mother and father? Do you think Hegbert should have remarried when Jamie was younger? Would Jamie have become a different person if he had?
- Jamie accepts Landon’s offer to attend the homecoming dance, and while there, she helps him not only get out of a fight, but cleans Angela up, making for a less than perfect evening. Would Landon have come to love Jamie if the “date” had been nicer? Would Jamie have asked him to be in the Christmas play?
- Christianity plays a large role in both Jamie’s and Hegbert’s lives. Which character seems to lead more of a Christian life? Should Jamie have been more outspoken about her faith?
- Why did Landon feel both a kinship and a rivalry with Eric? What was it about them that gave them such a special bond?
- What are the major themes of the novel? How are they related?
- For a long period, Landon refuses to admit to himself that he might like Jamie. Why does he refuse to admit this—because of his friends or because of his own fears? Why, if he truly feels this, why does he often act in just the opposite way?
- When Landon says he loves Jamie for the very first time, does he? How does his love change as the novel progresses?