Chapter Three
Iowa

Jack sat in the backseat of a rental car, his sketch­ book open on his knees, drawing pictures of bells. His mother hadn't spoken to him in the last four hours, not that it mattered. What was there to say, really? He'd already argued and cried and reasoned, but the result was the same: His parents, after years of fighting, were finally calling it quits. Jack was to spend an entire summer in Iowa with relatives he did not know. He couldn't believe it.

Jack watched the passing farmland as it rippled and swelled like a green ocean stretching from the pavement to the sky. A darkened smudge appeared at the very end of the long, straight road. Jack squinted, trying to get a better look. There was something familiar about that, he thought, as the smudge slowly grew into the shape of a hill, though for the life of him he couldn't remember where - or whether - he'd ever seen it.

Jack closed his sketchbook with a firm slap and bound it tightly with a rubber band...

Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers!

1. Why does Jack spend the summer in Iowa? What's going on with his family that forces his move?



2. Frankie, Wendy, Anders, and Clayton all notice that something Very Odd is going on. What does each character notice and how do they respond?



3. Jack is not like most boys. What clues can you find that show the reader exactly how different Jack is?



4. Why is the skateboard so important to Jack? What does he hope to gain by learning to ride it?



5. Is there a difference between "brave" and "good"? What are some examples from the book where the characters had to be brave if they wanted to do good? Can you think of a real-world example of someone needing to be brave in order to do the right thing?



6. Why do you think Jack hates fairy tales?



7. ...