READING GROUP GUIDE 1. Juliet’s voice is unrelenting, raw, and honest. How does the voice drive the narrative? Does her voice change over the course of the novel? 2. Despite the internal issues regarding the workings of Redwood Trail, do you think it genuinely aided the residents in recovery? Why? If not, do you think it helped them in other ways? 3. If you were Juliet’s parents, what would you have done? Do you think she needed to be sent to an institution? 4. Discuss effect of peer pressure on Juliet and other characters in the novel, and the harmful or helpful role(s) it played in their daily lives and in their recoveries. 5. Do you think Juliet’s group of friends (especially Holly) before she left for Redwood Trail were good for her? If yes, how so? 6. How do you feel about the way the novel portrays mental illness? Were there any parts of Juliet’s descriptions of her illness that particularly stood out to you? 7. Discuss Escoria’s use of short chapters and images. How do you think they extend and balance the narrative? 8. Throughout Juliet’s journey, was there ever a time where you weren’t concerned? Was there ever a point where you thought things might be getting better? 9. What did you think of Juliet’s relationship with Luke? Were you surprised that was allowed at Redwood Trail? 10. How does Juliet utilize confession and honesty: To express her grief, to deflect it, or for another purpose entirely? 11. What do you think the lambs and the garden represented at the end of the story? 12. Did the book change your perception of mental illness? If so, how?
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