What is the significance of the novel opening with Peter and closing with Luke? Why these characters? What role does each boy play in Mr. Terupt’s accident, and what brings them to forgive one another?

Why is Alexia mean to her classmates, but not to the students in the Collaborative Classroom? What does this reveal about her character?

Jessica turns to books for comfort, and Danielle prays to God when she needs help. What are some other methods of comfort in this novel? How do different characters cope with fear and grief in different ways?