Alienation

Reading Guides

Reading Group Guide

1. One of the stipulations for attending the CHAOS Military Academy is that cadets are not allowed to use cell phones, portable music players or laptop computers. They have no access to the Internet or their families for 18 months. What would it take for you to make that kind of sacrifice?
    
2. The night before Colt moved to Virginia, agents from the Department of Alien Affairs detained him. They detained Lily too. Colt wanted to call her and apologize for what happened, but he was worried that she'd be upset, so he put it off until it was too late. Are you the kind of person who prefers to ignore interpersonal conflict, hoping that time will help the problem disappear? Or do you like to talk things out right away and get it over with?
    
3. Colt has strong romantic feelings toward Lily. In fact, he thinks that he might be in love but he isn't sure. What are the odds of two sixteen year olds falling in love and staying together for the rest of their lives? Do you know married couples that met when they were in high school?
    
4. Colt went through a series of dangerous tests sanctioned by the United States government when he was a child. They wiped his memory, but his parents and his grandfather knew about them. They never told him. When Colt finally found out they knew, he felt betrayed. Is withholding the truth the same as lying? Is there ever a time when withholding the truth or lying would be the upright thing to do?
    
5. All his life, Colt dreamt of saving the world from super villains and alien invasions. But now that he has the chance to actually do it, he isn't sure if he's ready. Has there been a time in your life when you were called on to do something, but you didn't feel qualified? What happened?
    
6. Colt appreciates that Danielle tells him the truth, even when it might upset him. Do you have friends in your life who are willing to be honest with you, even if it means that you might get upset? Are you willing to be honest with your friends regardless of their reactions?
    
7. Pierce Bowen attacks a cadet at the CHAOS Military Academy because he was different. Colt steps in to protect the cadet even though he risks getting jumped by Pierce and his friends. What would you do if you saw someone getting bullied?
    
8. In the book, government agents manipulate evidence and two career criminals are incarcerated for crimes they didn't commit. Do you think governments have that kind of power? If so, do you think they're willing to exercise that power?
    
9. In the story, Colt's grandfather talks about seeing fellow soldiers die in combat. He thinks video games glorify death. Do you agree? Is there anything wrong with killing people in a video game?
    
10. Colt's grandfather gives him a medallion inscribed with Psalm 46:1. It states that God is our refuge and str ength, a very present help in trouble. Has there been a time in your life where that was true?