My Sister's Keeper

What kind of mother is Sara? Is her hyperfocus on Kate’s illness detrimental to her other children, including Kate herself? How might Sara have acted differently?

Why does Brian change his testimony after speaking to Campbell? What does this say about his relationship with Sara? What does it say about his relationship with Anna?

When My Sister’s Keeper was published in 2004, the concept of designer babies and/or savior siblings was relatively new. How has this controversy evolved since then? How might Anna’s case be handled today?

Despite a lack of connection between Campbell and Kate, they are two characters with medical diagnoses that prove key to the plot. Why do you think Picoult made this choice? Is there some connection to be made between the two?

Upon learning of Anna’s petition for medical emancipation, Sara insists she is simply looking for attention. What is ironic about Sara’s assumption about Anna? Why is Sara so quick to jump to this conclusion rather than hear out her children (including Kate herself)?

What motive does Jesse give for being an arsonist? In particular, why does he choose fire as his weapon of choice? Why does Brian choose not to punish him for his actions?

Picoult includes three different romances in the novel: Brian and Sara, Campbell and Julia, and Kate and Taylor. What is the purpose of introducing these romances? How do these romances compare to each other?

Do you agree or disagree with Judge DeSalvo’s decision in regard to Anna’s petition for medical emancipation? Why do you think he came to this conclusion? If not for Anna’s death, what decision do you think she would have made in regard to donating a kidney to Kate?