Cole starts out as a bully who is angry and blames the world for his problems; he is also bullied by his own father. He takes his frustration out on Peter, leaving him severely injured. On the island, Cole learns to forgive himself and his bullies and heal from the past. How does the bullying that Cole has experienced and enacted impact his self-image, his worldview, and the people in his community? How does Cole learn to overcome bullying?

Teaching Suggestion: The central conflict of the novel is within Cole, and the way he resolves the issues within himself are paramount to the novel’s themes. This discussion question allows students to examine Cole’s character arc and the pivotal moments and people who helped him along the way. This prompt connects to themes of Healing and Reconciliation, Both Within and Outside of Oneself and The Damage Caused by Bullying and Control.

Differentiation Suggestion: For less abstract thinkers, it may be useful to create a list of Cole’s actions, breaking them down into the sections of the novel. Students can then compare Cole’s actions at the beginning, middle, and conclusion of the story, gaining a sense of the stark contrast between who Cole starts out as and who he turns out to be.