used to think.
Children and mothers never truly part – bound in the beating of each other’s heart .
– Charlotte Gray
###
1. Nikki grew up in a small town in the 1990's. How do you think the setting and time period affected her attitude and decisions? Do you think the story would have gone differently if she'd grown up in a big city? If she'd grown up in modern days?
2. Christy is the "good girl," a Christian with a family that gets along. Nikki is an only child and a rebel. Why would these two opposite girls become best friends?
3. What similarities are there between Claire and Nicole? Between Nikki and Nancy?
4. Claire and Nikki both rebel against their parents, but they still love them. Do you struggle to obey and respect your parents at times? What makes it easier for you to rebel? What makes it easier for you to obey?
5. Matt is eight years older than Nikki; he is an adult and she is a minor. In many states, their relationship would be illegal. Do you think it was okay for them to date? Do you side more with Nikki and think it was true love? Or do you side more with Nancy - it was dangerous and reckless for them to be together?
6. Why do you think Matt was attracted to someone so much younger than him? Would you ever consider dating someone several years older or younger than you? Why or why not?
7. Christy became a Christian because her parents have raised her in the faith. Nikki became a Christian to get rid of the shame of her sin with Matt. How did you become a Christian? If you are not yet saved, why not join the faith today? The same truths and prayer Christy shared with Nikki still stand in modern real life.
8. Nikki regretted her sin with Matt almost immediately. Have you ever done something you regretted? Did you try to hide it, or did you do something to change it?
9. Matt and Nikki may have had a happily-ever-after wedding, but their sin had long-lasting consequences. What were some of those consequences?
10. Pregnancy changed Nikki's life, in good ways and bad. She and Matt were both unable to do or have what they wanted in life, because they had to think of a family and manage their money for the family. However, they both marveled at the life they'd created and loved their daughter. Do you think the life they led as a family was the best they could have had? Why or why not? What do you think might have made their life better, besides avoiding their sin in the first place?
11. Do you know any teen parents? How has pregnancy/fatherhood changed their life for the worse? For the better? Nikki and Matt had the support and help of their families and church. How could you help your friend through the difficulties of early parenthood?
12. The theme for this story is Romans 8:28, which reads, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Despite the wrong choices Nikki and Matt made, God worked things out for good. They still had to face consequences, but they were happy and their relationships were restored in the end. When was a time you did something wrong or ended up in a bad situation, but God worked it out for good in the end?
As my first full-length story to brave the world, Sixteen definitely wasn't the easiest thing to write. And as an indie author, the fact that Sixteen even exists is due to quite a few more people than just myself. Ergo, many thanks are owed.
To Mom, because I never would have written this if any other ideas for Mother's Day presents came to mind.
To Dad, who gave me Black Beauty and a notebook and told me to write what I think.
To Mrs. Rose, who taught me the love of story in first grade.
To Mrs. Wolfanger, who taught me the art of story in fourth grade.
To Grandma, for encouraging me to finish what I start.
To Stephanie Morrill, Jill Williamson, and their Go Teen Writers community. I owe
Children and mothers never truly part – bound in the beating of each other’s heart .
– Charlotte Gray
###
1. Nikki grew up in a small town in the 1990's. How do you think the setting and time period affected her attitude and decisions? Do you think the story would have gone differently if she'd grown up in a big city? If she'd grown up in modern days?
2. Christy is the "good girl," a Christian with a family that gets along. Nikki is an only child and a rebel. Why would these two opposite girls become best friends?
3. What similarities are there between Claire and Nicole? Between Nikki and Nancy?
4. Claire and Nikki both rebel against their parents, but they still love them. Do you struggle to obey and respect your parents at times? What makes it easier for you to rebel? What makes it easier for you to obey?
5. Matt is eight years older than Nikki; he is an adult and she is a minor. In many states, their relationship would be illegal. Do you think it was okay for them to date? Do you side more with Nikki and think it was true love? Or do you side more with Nancy - it was dangerous and reckless for them to be together?
6. Why do you think Matt was attracted to someone so much younger than him? Would you ever consider dating someone several years older or younger than you? Why or why not?
7. Christy became a Christian because her parents have raised her in the faith. Nikki became a Christian to get rid of the shame of her sin with Matt. How did you become a Christian? If you are not yet saved, why not join the faith today? The same truths and prayer Christy shared with Nikki still stand in modern real life.
8. Nikki regretted her sin with Matt almost immediately. Have you ever done something you regretted? Did you try to hide it, or did you do something to change it?
9. Matt and Nikki may have had a happily-ever-after wedding, but their sin had long-lasting consequences. What were some of those consequences?
10. Pregnancy changed Nikki's life, in good ways and bad. She and Matt were both unable to do or have what they wanted in life, because they had to think of a family and manage their money for the family. However, they both marveled at the life they'd created and loved their daughter. Do you think the life they led as a family was the best they could have had? Why or why not? What do you think might have made their life better, besides avoiding their sin in the first place?
11. Do you know any teen parents? How has pregnancy/fatherhood changed their life for the worse? For the better? Nikki and Matt had the support and help of their families and church. How could you help your friend through the difficulties of early parenthood?
12. The theme for this story is Romans 8:28, which reads, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Despite the wrong choices Nikki and Matt made, God worked things out for good. They still had to face consequences, but they were happy and their relationships were restored in the end. When was a time you did something wrong or ended up in a bad situation, but God worked it out for good in the end?
As my first full-length story to brave the world, Sixteen definitely wasn't the easiest thing to write. And as an indie author, the fact that Sixteen even exists is due to quite a few more people than just myself. Ergo, many thanks are owed.
To Mom, because I never would have written this if any other ideas for Mother's Day presents came to mind.
To Dad, who gave me Black Beauty and a notebook and told me to write what I think.
To Mrs. Rose, who taught me the love of story in first grade.
To Mrs. Wolfanger, who taught me the art of story in fourth grade.
To Grandma, for encouraging me to finish what I start.
To Stephanie Morrill, Jill Williamson, and their Go Teen Writers community. I owe
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