1. Describe what readers know about Kira after reading Chapter 1.
Kira is a teenage girl who has recently been orphaned. She was born with a deformed leg and is an outcast in her society.
2. Describe the customs surrounding death in Kira's society.
When an adult dies in Kira's village, the person's body is laid in the Field of Leaving. A family member watches over the body for four days to allow the soul safe passage to the afterlife. When an adult dies from an illness, his or her house and possessions are burned, presumably to control the spread of disease.
3. What are Kira's plans now that both her parents are dead?
Despite her tragic circumstances, Kira does not give into despair once she is orphaned. With surprising emotional maturity for a teenager, Kira decides to return home and rebuild her cott. She plans to use the skills her mother taught her to earn a living and establish a place in her society.
This section contains 4,280 words
(approx. 15 pages at 300 words per page)