1. If you were stranded on the Isles of Wonder, which Island would you pick to live on? Why?
2. The teens are faced with creating a society that works together to grow food, maintain shelters, raise children, and tend to the sick. Which life skills do you have that you could use to help the Islands function? What job would you take?
3. During the course of the story, many of the older children stop thinking if themselves as babysitters or caretakers, and form families, becoming parents to the younger ones. How do you define a family? What is a parent?
4. The name Hamim means “intimate, close friend” in Arabic. How did the character live up to his name in the book?
5. Do you think Milo and the Core are inherently bad or evil, or do then become that way over the course of the story? In other words, do you think people are born good or evil, or do circumstances make them that way?
6. Milo uses flattery, leadership skills, and considerable charm to get people on his side. If you were a character in the book, do you think you would have followed him? Why?
7. The Ghoulies dress like Goths, give themselves names like Shadow and Spike, and choose to live on Nightmare Island. How does that affect everyone’s view of them? Have you ever been judged unfairly based on how you dress or look?
8. Josh is caught between Milo, whom he admires, and Zoe, his good friend who doesn’t trust Milo. How does this affect his actions and the way he thinks?
9. Formed by Milo, the Goon Squad patrols the Islands and uses an underground room as a prison. Do you think police and prisons are necessary to keep a society under control?
10. Milo uses the attack of the mutant kids to frighten the other children into listening to him. Do you think fear is an effective way to control a population?
11. Latisha initially isn’t very popular because she wants to set up a school. What is your opinion of her decision?
12. Many of Milo and Zoe’s former friends turn against them rather than listen to what they’re trying to say about Milo. Why do you think people would act like that?