HMH Book Clubs

Things used to be normal in Casper, Alabama. Charity Pittman was a regular fourteen-year-old, the perfect daughter, following in her preacher father’s footsteps. But then Adrienne arrived, with her big-city ways and artsy ideas. Reverend Pittman thinks she’s the devil incarnate. Charity thinks she’s amazing.
But no one knows what to think of Adrienne when she claims she’s seen Jesus.
In the heartening and humorous book that made the National Book Award shortlist, Han Nolan visits a small town that’s praying for a miracle but heading for disaster.

Reader’s guide and an interview with the author included.

HAN NOLAN has won many awards for her teen fiction, including the National Book Award for Dancing on the Edge. She lives in New England.

Q. What is the purpose of Adrienne’s sensory deprivation project? Why does it disturb the townspeople?

Q. What qualities does Charity admire in Adrienne?

Q. Why does Reverend Pittman want to destroy the chair? Why does Charity want to save it?

Q. Each character has a different reason for believing in the chair. Why does Sharalee believe in it? Why does Mad Joe? Boo? Charity?

Q. How does Charity feel about her mother’s absence?

Q. Many characters in this book are faced with the choice of running away or staying and fighting. Does Charity make the same choice in every situation? Why or why not?

Q. When Adrienne asks what good came of her visions, Charity tells her "None, I reckon." Do you think any good came of the visions?