1. There are all kinds of theories about how I arrived on this mountain, and each person strongly promotes their own version. . . . If I had to pick one story, though, I guess I'd prefer the mystery. It would explain a lot about my new abilities and also cast out the possibility that I was merely left out in the cold with no clothes on by someone who didn't want me. I'm not as lucky as Greta Back–knowing from the very beginning where I came from and who I belong to (pp. 42—43).

Discuss the different stories about HARMONY's origin. HARMONY tells us that she prefers the mystery, but given the opportunity to find the truth, do you think she would change her mind? The formation of HARMONY's identity starts the moment Nettie Mae finds her. How much of your identity is tied to your ancestry, and how much to the history of your family and community?

2. Felix has specific reasons for choosing the name HARMONY McClean for the baby he finds in the barn. What are they? What is the significance of your name? Did your parents tell you how they chose your name and why? How do you feel about your name? How important is it to your identity?

3. The author also chose the title HARMONY for her novel. Beyond the fact that it is the name of the main character, what meanings do you think the author wants readers to see in the title?

4. The nature of HARMONY's special powers is revealed bit by bit in the novel. Piece together the bits and discuss just what her powers are. How does she feel about her “gift”? How and why do her feelings change?

5. Although Harmony keeps her powers hidden from Felix and Nettie Mae, she trusts Shawnie with the secret. How does Shawnie earn that trust? Does she deserve it? How do you decide whether someone is trustworthy?

6. I could tell that they [Shawnie and Caleb]’d probably spent their whole lives so far teasing each other. That’s the one thing I miss–not having a brother or sister. No one to squabble with. No one to tease. No one knows what I'm going to say before I say it myself (p. 25).

Living with Felix and Nettie Mae, Harmony feels alone and wishes for siblings. How does having or not having siblings affect a person’s character? In what ways is a sibling relationship unlike other relationships with family or friends?

7. Each of the people in Harmony's life wants her to make specific choices and be a certain kind of person. What path does each want her to follow? Who makes the biggest demands on Harmony, and why? What demands have been made on you, and for what reasons? Has pressure from others ever pushed you in a direction–good or bad–that you would not have chosen for yourself?

8. Caleb kisses Harmony twice in the course of the novel:

The Ferris wheel stopped with Caleb and me close to the top. . . . Caleb bent down and gently kissed me. It was so light, his kiss. Like a feather brushing over my lips. So gentle, I wasn't sure it had happened at all (p. 82).

. . . He reached out his hand and pulled me toward him and kissed me, knocking the cake out of my hand and onto the ground. . . . This was a serious kiss. Hard and long. It felt like someone had taken a match and lit my insides on fire (p. 124).

How do the two kisses differ? How do they reflect changes in Harmony and Caleb, as well as in their relationship? Was your first kiss–or is the way you imagine your first kiss–anything like Harmony’s?

9. Sometimes I'll come across an old photo of Nettie Mae and it's hard to believe the girl with the long dark hair and sweet face could possibly be the same woman I know. Nettie Mae is only sixty-four years old, but she looks a lot older. Life on the mountain can be hard (p. 59).

Do you have a set idea of what it means to be old? Can you envision the older people you know as young? How does age change a person? Are people old at thirty, forty, fifty? Can you imagine yourself at seventy? Do you think that as you age, your personality and ideas will stay pretty much the same? Will people’s perceptions of you change even if you don’t?

10. Who are the Old People? Why are they called that? What does this tell you about the way the Cherokee, as depicted in this book, regard the natural world?

11. The Great Northern Lumber Company is the legal owner of the land the trees are on. And there are those who would argue that what the company wants to do is necessary for progress. What do you think? Is it right for Harmony to prevent them from harvesting their property? Are her actions ethical? What are the most convincing arguments on both sides, and which would you agree with?

12. What does the future hold for Harmony?

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Courtesy of Laurel Leaf

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