My Name Is River (22 page)

Discussion Questions

These questions can be used as a springboard for group discussion:

• At first River isn't happy about moving and would rather stay in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Has there been a time in your life when everything changed from the “known” to the “unknown”? How did you feel? Read Joshua 1:9.

• Gram tells River, “Everything's gotta change sometime.” But there's one thing we can be sure of—God never changes. Read Malachi 3:6.

• When River meets William, she assumes he's the class dork based only on his outward appearance. Have you ever judged someone by their outward appearance? Or have you been judged in that way?

• River sings the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” but isn't sure what the words mean. Look back in
chapter 11
and reread the words to that hymn. What do they mean to you? Read Philippians 4:11-12.

• Billy realizes his camera isn't good enough and asks God for help. He tells River, “God is so incredible that even though he has to take care of the big things, he wants to help us with the little things.” Read Matthew 6:8.

• After Robert kills the birds, Billy prays for him. Would you have done that? Read Matthew 5:44.

• Sometimes it's hard to understand why God answers our prayers like he does. His answers may not always be what we hope for. Read Jeremiah 29:11.

About the Author

W
endy Dunham is a registered therapist and works with children who have special needs. Although she enjoys writing for children and adults, her passion is writing middle-grade fiction. She is the mother of two adult children and a wonderful son-in-law, who she loves to the moon and back. She enjoys reading, writing, gardening, kayaking, repurposing old furniture, walking, and biking with friends. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as the local chapter in the Rochester area (RACWI), and Word Weavers International and, again, her local Western New York Chapter.

Her desire is to honor her Creator with whatever it is she's writing about. Whether a poem, an article, a thought-provoking devotional, or a novel, her goal is to share pieces of hope, encouragement, and unconditional love—things we can all use a little bit more of.

She shares her home with Casey, Theo, Smokey, Tiny Tim, and Bentley (her four-legged friends who keep her company).

One of her favorite quotes is by Mother Teresa: “We can do no great things–only small things with great love
.
”

Visit her website at
www.wendydunham.net