Discussion Questions

1. Within a short period of time both Nina’s husband and father die. How does this sometimes make a woman stronger? Other times weaker? 

2. How did Nina change as the story progressed?

3. At any point during the story did you think the relationship between Nina and Grady Prescott, lead investigator with the executive kidnapping insurance company, would turn romantic? If so, what was the key element that kept it from happening? Could it happen in their futures?

4. Was there any hope for a rekindling of her romance with Louis McGraw, senior partner at the architectural firm? 

5. What is the significance of the locations used in this novel. 

6. What is the significance of the name of the private gambling club, Belaruse? (Hint: Drop the “e”, add human trafficking to the topic for your online search.)

7. Compare the conditions in which Darby was forced to live in the cinderblock cell and Sugar House. What effect would these different conditions have on the human spirit.

8. In the beginning, was Nina too patient, too dependent upon the authorities? Was there something she could have done but didn’t?

9. Do you know a real-life woman who has done what Nina did to rescue her only child?

10. Do you know of news reports in which political or influential people engaged in any of the illegal activities portrayed in Story of a Stolen Girl? 

11. What services are available in your community to assist women in peril?

1. Where did Katie get her courage? 

2. Where did Katie get the strength that she demonstrated numerous times during the decade covered in Golden Boxty in the Frypan? What caused her to rise in the face of adversity and tragedy?

3. When a child suffers great hardship and tragedy, how do they rise above it as they grow into adults?

4. Katie’s mother died because she was denied a legal abortion performed by medical staff in a safe and sanitary medical facility. She left behind six children whom her husband was ill-prepared to care for. How does this bring your thoughts around to current abortion laws and practices?

5. After orphanages were disbanded in the United States, an enormous child welfare system was implemented. While it differs from state to state, what do you think works better? What maybe does not?