As Piper, Leo, and Jason embark on their journey, the strength and resilience of their trust in one another are continually tested, shaping the course of their adventures and the bonds they share. How does the development and testing of trust among the main characters impact their ability to work together and succeed in their quest? Use details, quotations, and examples from the text in your answer. Consider these points as you formulate a response:

• What role does trust play in the characters’ decisions to share or withhold crucial information from each other, and how does this impact their journey?
• In what ways do external threats or challenges serve to either strengthen or weaken the bonds of trust within the group?
• How does a breach of trust between the main characters alter their group dynamics and affect their mission’s outcome?

Teaching Suggestion: To make a personal connection to this question, students first might reflect on what trust means to them and journal about their experiences with someone keeping or breaking their trust. This could help them to better understand the consequences of breaches of trust in the novel. They might also journal about a time they decided to trust someone, which would relate to the development of trust between the main characters.