Do you think it was realistic for them to try to break the records they chose? Why do you think Ona kept at it after she’d learned the boy died? Which world record would you try to break?

The boy is obsessed with The Guinness Book of World Records and desperately wants to help Ona get into it. Do you think it was realistic for them to try to break the records they chose? Why do you think Ona kept at it after she’d learned the boy died? Which world record would you try to break, if you had to choose one?

Maybe not realistic, but aspirational. The boy's willingness to take on the challenge of breaking records inspired Ona to aspire to do things at a time when she thought aspiration was behind her.

I'm not sure it was realistic, but why not try! I think Ona wouldn't have continued it Quinn hadn't helped her. For Ona, it gave her a purpose and she liked the idea of being recognized. Quinn helped as a way to pay tribulation to his son. They were both doing it to honor the boy.

I don't really care if it was realistic, it was marvelous! It gave Ona a reason to go on and it helped Quinn learn to know his son. I loved this part of the book...very quirky and touching.

Realistic for whom? When there's something to strive for, there's a reason to go on. Ona kept at it not only for herself but also for the boy and the wonderful effect he had on her. The only record I would try to break is to read as many wonderful, heartwarming, memorable books as I could in a lifetime.

It was part of their relationship and they both enjoyed thinking about breaking the records. I believe Ona kept on with it for the memory of the boy. She wanted to break the records for his sake. This also brought about the relationship with Quinn and brought him closer to the boy he really did not know. It was a win win for Ona and Quinn.

Ona could see the passion and enthusiasium the boy had for records. He thought long and hard about some records Ona could have achieved. By having her be the oldest person alive, he would have had her friendship longer. Once they realized there were many people ahead of her on the list, he came up with her being the oldest licensed driver. Ona also became excited as this gave her a goal. This was something she and the boy could work on togeher which helped cement their friendship. After the boy died, she was able to keep the goal alive and honor their friendship. I think this was a doable goal. She may not make it to the oldest person alive, but she was able to achieve other records. I don't have any desire myself to go for any records.

I think setting records made Ona feel alive again. To often the old are forgotten. Here was a challenge that gave her something to look forward to. She felt she owed it to the boy to continue.

Does realistic really matter? I think it was brilliant and it created a bond between Ona and the boy. It brought joy to both of them and helped his father find a foothold in the relationship.