Our Missing Hearts

In what ways does Ng’s version of America mirror contemporary America? In what ways does it differ? What is Ng trying to say about the fragility of democracy and the threat of racism with her America?

Our Missing Hearts is a story about stories. How does Ng explore the power of storytelling in her novel? What role does storytelling play?

Compare and contrast the ways in which two or more characters perform activism. For example, how does 12-year-old Sadie rebel against her situation? How does this compare to the actions of adults like Margaret and Domi?

In what ways does Bird envision his journey as a fairy tale? In what ways does the novel confirm or disrupt fairy tale tropes?

In the novel, why does America blame China for the Crisis? What does this reveal about humans’ tendencies during times of disaster?

Considering the events and impact of the Crisis, was PACT (“Preserving American Culture and Traditions”) inevitable in rebuilding order? Explain your reasoning.

According to Ng’s version of America, what is so dangerous about books? What is Ng’s overall message about the power of books?

What is Ng’s overall message about childhood? Why does she feature two prominent child characters in telling her story?