Next of Kin

Compare and contrast the effects of Chloe’s birth mom and adoptive parents on her childhood and transition to being an adult. What did Chloe learn from her parents? What harm did her parents do? Which parenting situation did more significant damage and why? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Using the ideas in What Makes a Family and How Judgment Causes Harm, analyze Chloe’s relationship with Emily and Lane. Are the girls a family? Why or why not? How does Chloe’s fear of judgment impact their history, and what lessons does Chloe learn from the girls that help her along her character arc?

Compare and contrast Calvin and Warren. What role does each play in Chloe’s life? What does Chloe ultimately choosing Warren say about her character and what she wants from her life? How might the story have gone differently if Chloe chose Calvin, and what does this suggest about the greater impact of romantic choices on personal growth?