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.
1. What services did the Eagles provide their members? 2. 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? 3. 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? 4. 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? 5. 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? 6. 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?
Cornerstones (coming soon)
CORNERSTONES, A Sequel
Dan Kelley still wonders why his parents took him on a perilous journey across the uninhabited wilderness, when he was only four years old. He also wonders how, just a few miles from their apparent destination, they suddenly disappeared. With no family, Dan is forced to grow up in a dungeon-like orphanage in an isolated frontier outpost. Years later, circumstances surrounding this mystery resurface. Dan and his friends research clues only to end up with vague references regarding an incident that took place more than twenty years before. The group decides to undertake their own dangerous expedition to the remote site to search for answers. When their scientific assault of the mystery results only in dead ends, Dan must dig deeper to understand his father's motivation What follows is a revelation of the human spirit as Dan discovers the direction home.
1. Why was the main character being pressured by Professor Phillips to major in a science instead of humanities or the arts? 2. Why didn't Bo have any memory of the clues he provided to help solve the mystery? 3. Why did Patrick O'Dea leave the Leap Frog site near Old St. Louis? 4. What did stone mason August Viche do down on the uninhabited Illinois prairie? 5. What important clues did nursing home resident Bob Wilson provide? 6. Why couldn't Dr. Al Myers solve the riddle alone?
