Discussion Questions

1. What type of person do you think Father to be after Nettie says, “People who talk about luck a lot don't think much of themselves,” and Ben says, “Father always talks about luck? “ How has luck helped or hurt you?

2. What occupations would have been available in 1855?

3. How would Nettie getting married impact Ben and Harrison?

4. If you weren’t able to speak, write, or use sign language, would you still be able to communicate with others? How would you communicate with others?

5. Did Ben organize a good schedule when he assigned each of them to watch Father every three days? Do you think it will work? Which job would you want?

6. Do you think Father understood Ben when he blinked his eyes for a yes response in Chapter 9 or was it just luck that his eyes closed as he did.

7. Knowing the cost of building a replica of the barn, how many hours would you have to work to build the actual barn? Would it be worth it to you if a dying parent wanted it?

8. Did Ben want the barn for himself or for his father? Was he trying to prove something?

9. What do you think of Ben believing his Father’s spirit was in the barn if it was anywhere?

10. Is the story more significant to you once you know that Ben is 80 years old when he tells the story?

11. What feelings do you have when kids tie their father to the dining room chair at suppertime? When they tie him to a wheelbarrow so they can take him outside.

12. If you were lost in the woods at night, would you be able to find your way using the stars as guides?