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How would David’s story be different if he were younger than Mal or older than Bridgette? Would he have to deal with the same conflicts? Why or why not?

How does the novel use characters like Derek and The Gurge to illustrate The Consequences of Lying by Omission?

Which members of David’s family show him support, and which persist in neglecting his needs? What narrative purpose do these differences serve?

How does David’s first-person perspective influence the tone of the narrative? How might the story be different if the author used a third-person omniscient perspective?

Research the neurodiversity movement, which actively challenges the traditional medical model of autism. Use this information to analyze Mom’s irrational prohibition against speaking the word “autism” aloud. How does her approach impact the family, and what does her preference imply about her biases against autism in general?

HeyMan and Cyn are David’s best friends, but they begin to form a relationship that excludes David. How does the novel explore David’s feelings about becoming a third wheel in his friend group?

In more than one way, the Jooky dog helps the novel develop the theme of The Consequences of Lying by Omission. Would this theme have been as powerful if David had bid on a more traditional collectible?

David and his family often speculate about Mal’s communication differences and wonder about the extent of his understanding. How does the novel work to create a nuanced portrait of Mal’s neurodivergence?