1. Tony heads home because he needs forgiveness. Have you ever needed forgiveness? Did you ask for it? Did you receive forgiveness or not? How did you feel about the outcome?
2. Given Maggie’s situation when she was fifteen, could she have made a different decision than to give her baby up for adoption? What would you have done?
3. Tony and his nonna have conflicting views of Tony’s father. Why? Whose view do you identify with? Why?
4. Tony’s father left when Tony was six years old. Do you think his father’s actions still drive Tony? If so, how?
5. Given Maggie’s history, can you understand her desire to hang onto people and things in her life? Why or why not?
6. Do you agree with Maggie that Tony abandoned her when she needed him most? If so, would you be able to forgive him? How is Maggie able to do it?
7. How do you think Maggie was able to overcome her losses and build the life she has?
8. Maggie struggles to find God’s plan for her life. Can you see God’s hand in your own life? Can you identify times He has somehow changed the course you’ve been following?
9. Tony says he prefers to worship in God’s great outdoors. Can you understand why he feels that way? Why or why not?
10. Tony and Maggie have both experienced deep disappointments in their lives, yet Tony admits Maggie has more faith in people than he does. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
11. At fifteen, Maggie made a decision that changed her life forever. Have you or a loved one ever made a decision that changed your life? Perhaps when you were very young? If not, do you know someone who experienced this? How have you or someone you know dealt with it?
12. Maggie is certain Stella will not get well if she cannot come home to her beloved gardens and old Victorian. Do you agree with Maggie? Or do you think Tony is right in his belief that his nonna will be relieved if she doesn’t have the worries associated with the old house? Why?
13. Maggie declares that Stella is her personal angel. Have you ever had a personal angel in your life? When? Who? Does that person know how you feel?
14. Do you understand Hannah’s decision to disobey the rules? Have you ever felt that taking a risk was worth the consequences? Was it? Why or why not?
15. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.--Matthew 6:14
Have you ever had trouble living by these powerful words? Why or why not?
2. Given Maggie’s situation when she was fifteen, could she have made a different decision than to give her baby up for adoption? What would you have done?
3. Tony and his nonna have conflicting views of Tony’s father. Why? Whose view do you identify with? Why?
4. Tony’s father left when Tony was six years old. Do you think his father’s actions still drive Tony? If so, how?
5. Given Maggie’s history, can you understand her desire to hang onto people and things in her life? Why or why not?
6. Do you agree with Maggie that Tony abandoned her when she needed him most? If so, would you be able to forgive him? How is Maggie able to do it?
7. How do you think Maggie was able to overcome her losses and build the life she has?
8. Maggie struggles to find God’s plan for her life. Can you see God’s hand in your own life? Can you identify times He has somehow changed the course you’ve been following?
9. Tony says he prefers to worship in God’s great outdoors. Can you understand why he feels that way? Why or why not?
10. Tony and Maggie have both experienced deep disappointments in their lives, yet Tony admits Maggie has more faith in people than he does. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
11. At fifteen, Maggie made a decision that changed her life forever. Have you or a loved one ever made a decision that changed your life? Perhaps when you were very young? If not, do you know someone who experienced this? How have you or someone you know dealt with it?
12. Maggie is certain Stella will not get well if she cannot come home to her beloved gardens and old Victorian. Do you agree with Maggie? Or do you think Tony is right in his belief that his nonna will be relieved if she doesn’t have the worries associated with the old house? Why?
13. Maggie declares that Stella is her personal angel. Have you ever had a personal angel in your life? When? Who? Does that person know how you feel?
14. Do you understand Hannah’s decision to disobey the rules? Have you ever felt that taking a risk was worth the consequences? Was it? Why or why not?
15. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.--Matthew 6:14
Have you ever had trouble living by these powerful words? Why or why not?