Prior to the novel’s revelation of Kabuo’s innocence, how would you assess the evidence? Given both the evidence presented at trial and inner monologues of various characters, what is your assessment of Kabuo Miyamoto’s guilt before the smoking gun is revealed? Does the novel use any red herrings?

Why does Ishmael choose, ultimately, to show the Coast Guard report to the judge? Why is this decision difficult for him to make? How does this decision resolve or complicate the novel’s themes?

Ishmael Chambers notes that he shares the name of the famous narrator in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. In what way is this appropriate or symbolic? How does Guterson’s novel, like Melville’s, address the trope of destiny and fate?