Stone Souls

In Chapter Two, a list of grievances against the United States is provided by the C.S.A. in their Declaration of Independence. Which items on their list (if any) did you find yourself agreeing with or, at the least, acknowledging as a problem in the United States? Were there any items on the list you would reject as an illegitimate complaint?

The character of Lizzie Butler discusses how she finally feels free of bullying in the C.S.A. While the methods of the C.S.A should not be followed, it is also true that bullying in American schools is a largely a problem that has found no solution. What solutions to bullying would you recommend?

In Chapter Nine, the economic benefits of embracing citizenship in the C.S.A are presented. How appealing are these benefits to you? 

The title of the book is Stone Souls. What do you think it means to have a stone soul?

Kurt “Stone” Adams claims to hate Roger Baudin. Do you think this is true? What other emotions and thoughts could contribute to Kurt Adams’ solution to his problems with Baudin?

“The revolutionary can have no friendship or attachment, except for those who have proved by their actions that they…are dedicated to revolution. The degree of friendship, devotion and obligation…is determined solely by the degree of his usefulness to the cause of total revolutionary destruction.” The preceding quote is from the writing of Russian revolutionary thinker Sergey Nechayev. How does this quotation apply to the actions of Kurt “Stone” Adams throughout the book? Explain.