David J. Kirk

     The story's narrator finds himself growing up without family during a time following a series of global disasters near-apocalyptic in nature.  He must form alliances to defend against threats, find answers, and discover himself with the help of a phenomenon the world has apparently forgotten about.
     Bothered by nightmares regarding his beginnings and trapped in an unacceptable situation, Dan joins the Eagles, a group of similar misfits whose only connection is their assignment to the same wing of their orphanage hall.  Together, the boys at first use brute force to defend themselves against a group of bullies harassing them and fellow orphans.  After a brief period of popularity for their bravery, opposing interests in the community plot to turn public opinion against them.  The Eagles soon realize their strategy is beginning to fail.  Facing incarceration and expulsion from school, they pull a strategic retreat into the wilderness where thing are seen more clearly.  Realizing a more rational plan, redemption begins to unfold.

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1.  What services did the Eagles provide their members?
2.  With the population base so sparse and the economy so fragile in Dan's world, the government used the strategy of financial aid to steer young people into occupations vital to the maintenance of the country.  Has anyone tried to steer you toward and occupation you had little interest in?
3.  Ben asked, "Why does a town [of] this [small] size have such a big orphanage anyway?"  Why did they?
4.  Ben, Corky Wall, and Wheeze of the Range all used peculiar strategies to deal with their fears.  What were they and how successful do you think they were?
5.  What clues did you get that Dan was the son of Patrick O'Dea?
6.  The Eagles' first reaction to the Mustang threat was to fight back in kind.  What events led them to believe this strategy was beginning to fail?
7.  During their first meeting, what did Ms. Hightower say to the Eagles that clouded their good guy/bad guy perception?
8.  Dan was under the impression that he possessed exceptional intelligence, but external measures proved him wrong.  What was the motivation behind Dan's rapid advancement in school?
9.  After their love affair was over and the intense emotions subsided, what did Sharon want from Dan, what did Dan want from Sharon, and why were both incapable of providing it?
10. Tom Pine indicated that people who hate people do so because they are a threat.  Do you think this applies to you personally?  What about between countries, races, and religions worldwide?
11. Ben, Sharon, Tom Pine, and Dan (regarding Lisa, Sharon, and baby girl) referred to the term ends-of-the-earth type stuff.  How do you think each of those characters would define it?  How would you define it?