AFTERWARD Discussion Questions

  1. Although there are hints and flashbacks, this story focuses more on Ethan’s recovery than his time in captivity. What questions were you left with about Ethan’s time with his kidnapper?
  1. How might Ethan’s recovery have been different had he returned home to a family like Caroline’s? What resources did his parents have that may have helped in his recovery? Are there any aspects of Ethan’s family life that might have made his recovery more difficult?
  1. Was Caroline’s mother right to ask Caroline to keep an eye on Dylan the day that he was taken? What sorts of pressures and emotions do you think people with a special-needs sibling often experience? If you have a sibling with special needs, could you relate to any part of Caroline’s story?
  1. Dr. Greenberg is a therapist with some unusual methods. What did you think of his approach? What would Ethan’s recovery have been like had he not had a doctor like Dr. Greenberg in his life?
  1. Think about the idea of forgiveness. Who has to forgive whom in this story? What does it take to forgive someone? Do we sometimes have to forgive ourselves?
  1. The characters in this story discuss the idea of fate and free will. How much of our lives depends on luck and chance? How much do you think depends on the choices and decisions we make?
  1. Ethan and Caroline do not have a romantic relationship. Do you think it’s possible for a teenage boy and a teenage girl to be “just friends”? What is the future of their friendship?
  1. What will it be like for Ethan when he returns to school? What will be the challenges? The joys? How will going to school affect his relationship with Caroline?
  2. Caroline’s family has changed by the end of the story. Are things improving at home? What do you think her family and home life will look like in a year? Five years?
  1. How has Ethan’s relationship with his parents changed by the end of the story? What kind of relationship do you think he will have with them as time goes on?
  1. If Caroline and Ethan remain friends, it makes sense that Ethan and Dylan might meet again. What would such a meeting look like? What steps would have to be taken? Should they ever meet?
  1. If you could give advice to Ethan and Caroline at the end of the novel, what advice would you share?