Characters
Who is Davy, and what has happened to him?
A boy in the hospital whose legs are amputated.
Why is Charlie excited about his operation?
He believes it will fix his foot and improve his life.
What is one theme of the novel so far?
Growing up / bravery / identity
Charlie thinks, “That was the problem with words—once you said them, you couldn’t unsay them.” What does this reveal about Charlie, and why is that idea important in the novel?
It shows Charlie feels guilt and thinks seriously about the harm words can cause. This matters because several response topics ask students to think about regret, apology, and situations where words caused pain.
What advice they would you give Charlie if they you him on the dock before he leaves on his journey. Write a topic sentence and one supporting sentence for that response.
If I met Charlie on the dock, I would advise him to slow down and think more carefully before acting. He is rushing into a dangerous decision because he wants to prove himself instead of fully considering the risks.
Describe one trait of Nurse Mac and explain why Charlie likes her.
Kind, caring, treats him like a person → Charlie feels respected.
What problem does Charlie have with the spyglass?
He worries about leaving it behind and tries to solve it.
What does Davy mean when he says questions are better than silence?
Being noticed matters; silence = being forgotten. This is powerful!
In Chapter 4, Charlie feels “sick with shame” after hitting the disabled boy. How is Charlie different from the bullies, and what does that tell us about his character?
Charlie reacts with guilt and self-awareness, while the bullies showed cruelty without remorse. That difference suggests Charlie makes a bad choice, but he still has a conscience and moral awareness. Hopefully you are working on these skills!
describe a time you regretted something you have said. Write/explain a topic sentence and one supporting sentence that clearly answers that prompt.
Ex. I once regretted speaking in anger because my words hurt someone I cared about. Like Charlie, I realized too late that once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.
Why is Miss Northwood strict? What might be her reason?
Focus on rules/order, hospital control → believes discipline is necessary.
Why do Charlie and Davy sneak out of the hospital?
For adventure/freedom, escape boredom and restrictions.
What does Charlie’s regret after hitting the boy show?
He has a conscience and feels guilt (unlike bullies).
In chapter 7, Charlie has a nightmare while under anesthetic. What might the nightmare represent about what Charlie is feeling at this point in the story?
The nightmare likely represents fear, uncertainty, and loss of control. Charlie is facing surgery, separation, and change, so the dream reflects his anxiety beneath the surface.
How should Charlie should deal with bullies? Write a topic sentence and one supporting sentence that gives a clear opinion.
Charlie should avoid responding to bullies with anger because violence usually makes the situation worse. His shame after lashing out shows that fighting back in the wrong way can hurt both other people and himself.
What kind of person is Aunt Maude based on her views about war?
Thoughtful, critical thinker, questions propaganda.
What happens during Charlie’s surgery and recovery?
He experiences fear/nightmare, showing anxiety and vulnerability.
What message is shown through Aunt Maude’s view of soldiers?
War dehumanizes people; perspective matters.
In Chapter 8, the author hints at Charlie’s real plan instead of stating it directly. Why is that an effective choice by the author?
Hinting builds suspense and makes the reader infer Charlie’s intentions rather than being told everything outright. It also matches Charlie’s secretive thinking and keeps tension high before his big decision.
Chapter 6 asks whether sneaking out of the hospital was a good idea. Write a topic sentence and one supporting sentence that answers this clearly.
Sneaking out of the hospital was not a good decision, even if Charlie and Davy wanted freedom and adventure. Their choice was risky because they ignored medical rules and could have made a difficult situation even worse.
How does Charlie change between early chapters and when he plans to leave?
Becomes more independent, impulsive, determined to prove himself.
What major decision does Charlie make before going “to the ice”?
He secretly plans to leave and become a sealer.
Why is Charlie so determined to become a sealer?
Wants independence, identity, to prove himself as strong similar to his father.
Aunt Maude says people start to believe the enemy are “monsters.” What is the deeper message in her comment, and why is it important?
Her point is that war depends on dehumanizing people so violence feels easier to justify. This matters because it pushes readers to question propaganda. This can also be good versus evil thinking, and how fear changes moral judgment.
Several ICA response topics may ask you to reflect on fear, danger, regret, or being lost. Write a topic sentence and one supporting sentence explaining one major lesson Charlie is learning by this point in the novel.
One major lesson Charlie is learning is that growing up involves consequences, not just excitement and independence. (coming of age theme) His experiences in the hospital and his secret plans show that every choice carries risks he cannot simply escape.