The Book of Lost Friends

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Several characters collect stories as a way to deal with real-life challenges. What role have stories played in your life in difficult times?

2. The novel presents maternal connection as an essential part of women’s identity. Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?

3. Did anything about the way racial tensions are presented in the novel surprise you? 

4. Consider the various ways heritage is portrayed in the novel. Did anything about this depiction resonate with your experience of your own heritage?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. In what ways has society’s attitude towards people of color changed since the late 19th century? Are there any ways in which it has stayed the same? 

2. The real Lost Friends project could be considered a precursor to social media. How are similar storytelling journeys being taken today?

3. Discuss the role of reproductive rights and gender norms in the novel. What lessons regarding women’s social status does the novel offer for contemporary societies?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Consider the relationships between the characters and their names. How do their names reflect who they are? Why do you think the author chose these names for the characters?

2. What does the author accomplish by putting Hannie in boys’ clothes? What does this choice communicate about societal expectations for girls during this time?

3. Hannie’s blue beads act as a tangible connection to her past. What are some other motifs in the novel that connect characters to their families or heritage?

4. How does Nathan’s privilege enhance the novel’s exploration of its core themes?