Lifeboat 12

Discuss Ken’s coming-of-age process over the course of the novel. What are the signs of his growing maturity and independence? How does Hood depict his journey from boy to man?

Hood’s novel is based on a true story. What details and historical facts from the novel help frame the reader’s understanding of what life was like in England during World War II?

Analyze Hood’s use of typography, including text placement, font size, and form. How does the arrangement of the text contribute to meaning? Choose three examples to analyze in depth.

How does Hood address the logistics, struggles, and mood of spending several days on a lifeboat? How do her descriptions help readers understand Ken’s experience?

Hood tells the story of Lifeboat 12 from Ken’s point of view, and the novel is formatted in free verse. How do these narrative and stylistic choices affect the reader’s understanding of the novel’s themes?

Consider Ken’s family dynamic. What is it like at the novel’s beginning versus at the novel’s end? How does it change over the course of the novel?

What are some examples of the motif of stories in the novel? What point does Hood seem to be making about books and stories by depicting their role in Ken’s life?

How does the North Atlantic Ocean function as an antagonist in the story? Cite examples from the text to support your answer.