One Two Three

Select at least three characters (beyond the triplets) who embody the theme of Resilience in the Face of Adversity. How does One Two Three represent the different faces of ability?

Discuss the theme of The Healing Power of Community. How do the townspeople in Bourne work together to create a functional, successful society in the face of adversity?

Consider the author’s in-depth characterizations of the Mitchell triplets. What are their strengths, and how do they use their abilities to help their mother in her quest for environmental justice?

Analyze the character of River. In what ways is he a viable ally for the triplets, and in what ways does he fail to rise above his upbringing? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Discuss the symbolism of River’s name. What might it have meant to his parents, and what does it reveal about the differences between the Templeton family and the town of Bourne?

This novel, although fictional, mirrors many similar environmental disasters that were caused by negligence, greed, and the politics of NIMBY. How does One Two Three speak to real-life acts of environmental injustice, and what does it suggest for the survivors of such tragedies?

Analyze the various ways in which the citizens of Bourne find methods of strengthening their deeply scarred town. Choose two minor characters and discuss their strategies for promoting The Healing Power of Community.

Discuss education in Bourne. How does it differ from most American high schools? What strengths and advantages might Bourne’s method have over typical educational settings and programs?