Note: These discussion questions contain spoilers! We suggest you finish the book before you read through them.

1. Cecily Wong gives three definitions of the word kaleidoscope at the beginning of the novel. Discuss how the ideas of these definitions appear throughout the book.

2. Early in the book, Riley says, “Here we were in New York, molting our skins, shedding ourselves of who we were back in Oregon. Morgan’s sister. Yearbook James.” Do Riley and James ever truly escape their old identities? How so? Or why not?

3. Riley struggles with living in Morgan’s shadow throughout the entire novel. How does her trip help her develop her self-knowledge and put herself at the forefront of her own life?

4. Karen says to Riley, “Your sister was the glue, you know that.” In response, Riley wonders what her mom considers her to be. What’s Riley’s relationship like with her mother? How does their relationship change throughout the book, especially after Riley returns to New York City after everything that happens?

5. James tells Riley that he loves her during an intense argument. He convinces her that he’s telling the truth after she doubts him. Discuss instances throughout the book where the readers see Riley from the perspective of James. How does seeing her through James’s eyes alter our perception of her?

6. Riley discovers that even seemingly perfect Morgan had demons, too, after her realization in India. After putting her sister on a pedestal for so long, how does Riley’s discovery shift her understanding of Morgan? How does it affect how she feels about herself? About her parents?

7. The Brightons transform as they move through different phases of their lives. However, they maintain some of their old patterns, too. What are some examples that showcase how the Brightons still hold on to certain behaviors from their past as they move into their futures?

8. Discuss how the author weaves in the themes of cultural commodification and the ongoing legacy of colonialism throughout the book.

9. Throughout the book, Riley is searching for a place for herself, both within her family and out in the world. Do you think she ultimately finds the answers she was looking for?