1. Even
though Luke is the main character, the first part of the book is written from several different characters’ points
of view. Why do you think the author chose to do this?
2. How would you feel if Secret Service agents came with
you to school, lessons, sports practices, or friends’ houses with you? How has Luke’s personality
been affected by growing up with Secret Service protection?
3. Callie’s
father is afraid she won’t fit in at her new school if she wears her cowboy boots. Do you think it’s common for
people to judge others by the way they dress?
4. Both Luke and Callie remember what happened
with Callie’s horse, when Luke was last at the ranch, but they don’t remember it the same way. How do their memories
differ? Why do you think they have different memories of it?
5. How does Luke’s father view Theo? How
do you think Luke feels about that?
6. Why does Luke’s father always say ‘make haste slowly’ to Luke? Do you think that is good advice?
7. Why do you think the kitten is so important to Callie?
8. Luke is used to doing
what others tell him. At what point in the book does he start to make his own decisions? What would you have done in this
situation?
9. Callie points out that people usually call 911 in an emergency. Why doesn’t Luke think of this?
10.
The theme of the nature of friendship runs throughout the story. What is the author trying to say about friendship?
11. Theo doesn’t want to stay behind even though he knows
he might get hurt going forward. Why does he make that choice? What would you do in his situation?
12. The nature of bravery is an important part of the story.
Do you think people know they are brave before they have ever been in a frightening situation? Why does
Luke’s father like the quote by Virgil, ‘Yield not to misfortunes, but go boldly to meet them.’ How
does this quote relate to what happens in the story?
13.
The three important characters, Luke, Callie and Theo all have very different personalities. What would have happened if one
of the three characters hadn’t been there? What did each contribute?
14.
What do you think about the ending? How has Luke changed?
Just for fun:
If you were president of the United States and had your own private vacation retreat, what would
you want there?
If you
were in charge of designing the security systems for Camp David, how would you design them?
