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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

America the Beautiful: America Series, Book 1

1. Politics is often known as a dirty business. Do you think a person of faith like Kate can remain in politics and not lose her way?

2. Kate and Emily are best friends, but there's a difference in their beliefs. Do you believe that they can remain close or will the differences between them affect their friendship? Do you have a good friend who doesn’t share your same beliefs? If so, how do you maintain that friendship?

3. What aspects of Kate's personality make her so likable? What’s likable about Emily? What qualities do you appreciate and admire in your best friend?

4. What factors contributed to Emily's resistance to church and God? Should Kate be more proactive in trying to bring Emily to the Lord?

5. How do Kate and Emily differ when it comes to their relationships with their family? How did Emily's family affect her? What kind of influence does your family have on the choices you’ve made as an adult?

6. How do you think Kate felt when at the end, she realizes that Emily betrayed her trust? Has anyone you’ve ever known ever betrayed your trust?

7. Nick Beaudry has changed radically since his divorce from Emily and found God. There's a hint of a potential relationship between him and Kate. How do you think Emily will react to this?

8. Is Kate a reliable narrator --- do you agree with her opinion of other characters and situations? Or does she have blind spots and biases --- and if so, what are they?

9. What observations does this novel make about politics? How do these ideas relate to the current political climate?

10. Kate truly believes that Emily is the better candidate, especially when compared to Charles Talbot. Have you had to choose between the lesser of two evils?

11. At the end of the book, Kate has to make a decision as to whether to stay with Emily or walk away. Which do you think she'll do? Have you ever had to face difficult decision like this?

America the Beautiful: America Series, Book 1
by Laura Hayden

  • Publication Date: April 16, 2008
  • Genres: Christian, Fiction
  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
  • ISBN-10: 1414319398
  • ISBN-13: 9781414319391