The Candy Shop War

At the beginning of the novel, Nate is a community outsider. How does his role change over the course of the novel? Would you consider him to be the leader of the group? If so, why?

Can you perceive any connection between the greed for candy and the greed for power? Which characters display both kinds of greed? Are the Blue Falcons immune to this trait or not?

Sebastian Stott is perceived in a variety of ways by the children. How does that perception change for the reader and the children as the story progresses? In what way is his perception of himself ambivalent?

Describe some of the candies that the children ingest and the powers they develop. Explain how the magical candies might be viewed as a double-edged sword.

Discuss the novel’s lore as it relates to magic, youth, and age. In what ways is youth defined as magical in the story? What drawbacks does youth also possess?

Mrs. White can be perceived in various ways as the plot advances. Describe her at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the story. Do you think she received the proper punishment for her evil deeds? Why or why not?

The Blue Falcons commit several crimes during their adventures. Are these acts justified? Do they behave any differently under Stott’s guidance than under Mrs. White’s? How do their actions relate to their motives?

Trust is a central theme of the novel. What mistakes do the children make in their relationships with others? How do they learn to distinguish friend from foe?