READERS GUIDE
Reader’s GuideThe Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati
Discussion Questions:
1. This novel takes place in 1857, when the United States was on the brink of the Civil War. Do you remember learning about the political conflicts of this period? Did anything in this story surprise you, given what you already knew? What aspects of the history might you want to read more about?
2. Lily Ballentyne, Carrie’s mother, leaves Paradise and relocates to Manhattan with her two youngest children when they are very young. Grief and anger play a part in motivating this move, but is there more to it?
3. Carrie Ballentyne has work she loves, a supportive family, and friends. Why does she choose to leave Manhattan for Santa Fe? Is she simply interested in a household of her own and independence? What is she hoping to leave behind?
4. Carrie’s brother, Nathan, is traveling with her. He loves his sister and is protective, and at the same time, he worries about the way she isolates herself. Does he consider her dangerous to herself or others? Should he?
5. When the Ibarra brothers first see Carrie and Nathan in the train station, Eli admires her but keeps that to himself. Why is he hesitant? Does
it really have to do with his brothers?
6. It isn’t until they travel together off the Santa Fe trail that the connection between Eli and Carrie takes hold. If they had not been thrown together for that journey, would they have eventually come together? What about their different personalities, circumstances, and histories makes them turn toward each other?
7. Carrie finds the situation in Santa Fe very different from what she was led to believe. She anticipated Mrs. Markham’s difficulties, but Dr. Markham’s take her by surprise. She worries about Lulu being brought up by such troubled parents. Does she see Lulu as a hardheaded,
spoiled child or a damaged one? Can Lulu be both?
8. Generally a child who has unexpectedly lost both parents would be relieved to learn that there is a family member who wants to take her in, but not in this case. How do you explain Lulu’s instant dislike of her Aunt Chatham?
9. Why, at this point in her life, does Carrie’s sister Martha come to call on her?
10. This novel was first titled Little Birds. Why do you think that was? What do small creatures like birds and kittens symbolize for Carrie?