The Measure

The "measure" strings have drastically different effects on the various main characters. Compare and contrast how Nina, Maura, Ben, Hank, Amie, Anthony, Jack, and Javier each respond to and are impacted by their string. What do their differing reactions reveal about them as individuals?

If the measure strings were real and you received a box, would you personally want to open it and find out how many years you have left to live?  Why or why not? 

How do you think that you would react upon learning that someone you knew had a short string?  Would it be different depending on whether that person was a family member, a friend, or a romantic interest?

A major theme of the book is how fear and prejudice take hold when some are labeled as "different." How did the discrimination against short-stringers mirror discrimination in our own society against marginalized groups? What message do you think the author was trying to convey through these parallels?

The story highlights the characters’ journeys and relationships, like Nina and Maura's romance and Amie and Ben's bond through letters. Which relationships or character arcs resonated most with you and why?

The style incorporates elements of science fiction through the measure strings device. How did this speculative device help highlight the book's messages about prejudice and societal divisions? Do you think the book would have worked as well without the literal measure strings (for example, if instead of the box, scientists had made significant advances in accurately predicting life span)?

Do you think the author effectively maintained suspense and emotional impact up until the ending? Did you find the direction each character's story took surprising or expected?

How do you interpret the ending of the book based on the growth and transformations the characters go through? Do you think it conveys a hopeful or pessimistic view of human nature and our ability to overcome fear and hatred?