Book Club Questions for Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

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Book club questions for Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling explore the captivating world of remote northern Canada, where a visionary architect leads a groundbreaking project called Camp Zero.

But as you delve into the pages of this atmospheric and fiercely original novel, you’ll soon discover that nothing is as it seems.

Through skillfully braided perspectives of intriguing characters, including a clever young woman named Rose, a determined professor seeking escape, and an all-woman military research unit struggling for survival, Camp Zero unravels a tale of hidden agendas, survival in a changing world, and the daring acts of falling in love and building community.

Through skillfully braided perspectives of intriguing characters like Rose, a clever and determined young woman with a hidden mission, a young professor longing for escape, and an all-woman military research unit fighting for survival, Camp Zero unravels a tale of hidden agendas and surprising revelations. This fiercely original and utterly gripping novel explores themes of ambition, climate displacement, and the human capacity for love and community in a warming world.

As you read through the following book club questions for Camp Zero, I encourage you to reflect on your own insights and interpretations, and come prepared to share your thoughts during a book club discussion. So, let’s dive in and get ready for an exciting and stimulating book club discussion!

I hope you will enjoy the following book club questions and reading guide for Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling! ✨

The Synopsis

In remote northern Canada, a team led by a visionary American architect is breaking ground on a building project called Camp Zero, intended to be the beginning of a new way of life. A clever and determined young woman code-named Rose is offered a chance to join the Blooms, a group hired to entertain the men in camp—but her real mission is to secretly monitor the mercurial architect in charge. In return, she’ll receive a home for her climate-displaced Korean immigrant mother and herself.

Rose quickly secures the trust of her target, only to discover that everyone has a hidden agenda, and nothing is as it seems. Through skillfully braided perspectives, including those of a young professor longing to escape his wealthy family and an all-woman military research unit struggling for survival at a climate station, the fate of Camp Zero’s inhabitants reaches a stunning crescendo.

Atmospheric, fiercely original, and utterly gripping, Camp Zero is an electrifying page-turner and a masterful exploration of who and what will survive in a warming world, and how falling in love and building community can be the most daring acts of all.

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About the Author

Michelle Min Sterling, originally from British Columbia, Canada, now calls Cambridge, Massachusetts her home. As an esteemed educator, she imparts her knowledge of literature and writing to students at Berklee College of Music.

Michelle has been recognized for her talents through fellowships at renowned institutions such as Akademie Schloss Solitude, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Vermont Studio Center, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Her exceptional writing has been featured in publications like The Baffler and Joyland.

With CAMP ZERO, Michelle Min Sterling makes her captivating debut as a novelist!

Book Club Questions for Camp Zero

I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling. ✨

The author employs a multifaceted approach in Camp Zero by using alternating points of view through various characters, each with their unique perspectives and stories. How do these different points of view enhance the narrative and contribute to the development of the story’s themes and plot? What insights do we gain about the characters and their motivations through this narrative technique?
Analyze the tone of Camp Zero and explore how the author employs language to convey it. What specific words, phrases, or writing techniques does the author use to create and sustain the tone throughout the story? In addition to language, what other elements, such as setting, imagery, or symbolism, contribute to the overall tone of the novel and how do they interact with each other?
Compare and contrast the female characters in Camp Zero, both from the White Alice team and the Blooms. Examine their similarities and differences in terms of their roles, motivations, and relationships within the story. How do these female characters challenge or conform to traditional gender roles or expectations, and what insights do they provide about gender dynamics and empowerment in the novel?
In Camp Zero, the setting is a near-future world that differs from our present reality. Explore the differences between the fictional world of the novel and our current world, considering elements such as technology, climate, politics, and society. How do these differences shape the events and conflicts in the story? What social, cultural, or environmental commentary does the author convey through this speculative setting?
In CAMP ZERO, characters undergo various forms of reinvention. From Rose assuming a new identity to the women of White Alice adapting to their roles, the concept of reinvention is central to the story. Discuss the different ways in which characters attempt to reinvent themselves and explore who succeeds and who fails in this endeavor. What does it mean to reinvent oneself in the context of this story, and what are the implications of this concept? Is the opportunity to reinvent oneself a privilege or a right that every character in the novel has?
The Flick is a technological device that plays a significant role in Camp Zero, impacting the socioeconomic classes of the characters. Analyze the concept of the Flick in the novel and its implications as a supposed evolution of smartphones. How does the Flick function within the story and what social, ethical, or philosophical questions does it raise about the integration of technology in society and its effects on class divisions?
The majority of Camp Zero takes place in northern Canada, with references to the New England area. Speculate on the potential differences in the southern areas of the world based on the information provided by the author. How might the setting and society in other regions of the world look like in this future version of 2049? Consider factors such as climate, culture, politics, and technology in your discussion.
Motherhood and the mother/daughter relationship are recurring themes in CAMP ZERO, portrayed through various characters such as Rose and her mother, the women of White Alice, Aurora, and eventually Judith’s relationship with the Blooms. Examine the role of motherhood throughout the story and explore the different dynamics and complexities of these relationships.
The use of pseudonyms and renamed identities is a prevalent motif in CAMP ZERO, adopted by almost every character in the story. Examine the significance behind these new names and explore the reasons behind the adoption of these identities for both male and female characters. Analyze the implications of the characters shedding their original names and taking on new ones, and how this contributes to the overall themes and motifs of the story.
The concept of climate change and its impact on society is a central theme in Camp Zero. How does the author use the setting of a remote northern Canadian camp to explore the effects of climate change on various aspects of society, including economics, technology, gender roles, and colonization?
Rose is a complex and multifaceted character who is forced to navigate a world that often devalues and exploits women. Discuss Rose’s role as a sex worker and an undercover informant in Camp Zero, and how her agency and resilience challenge traditional gender roles and expectations.
The novel features multiple timelines and perspectives, including Rose’s, the female scientists at White Alice, and Grant’s. How do these different storylines intersect and contribute to the overall narrative structure of the novel? How does the author use these different perspectives to convey the themes of survival, family, and female empowerment?
The concept of community and the importance of human connection are recurring themes in Camp Zero. Discuss how the characters in the novel form different types of communities, such as the Blooms, the women at White Alice, and the inhabitants of the Floating City. How do these communities evolve and change throughout the novel, and what do they reveal about human nature and resilience in the face of adversity?
Camp Zero is described as a feminist climate fiction novel. Explore the feminist themes in the book, including the portrayal of female characters, the exploration of gender inequality, and the challenges faced by women in a changing world. How does the author use her female characters to highlight the strengths, vulnerabilities, and complexities of women in a dystopian setting?
The novel touches on the concept of privilege and power dynamics, particularly in relation to wealth and social status. Discuss the role of privilege in Camp Zero, including the contrast between the wealthy inhabitants of the Floating City and the marginalized workers in Camp Zero. How does the author explore the consequences of privilege and the ethical implications of power imbalances in a dystopian society?
Camp Zero incorporates elements of mystery and suspense, with unexpected twists and revelations throughout the novel. Discuss how the author uses suspenseful elements to keep readers engaged and how the mystery aspect of the novel adds depth and complexity to the overall plot. Were there any surprises or revelations that caught you off guard?
The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the future of our planet, the consequences of climate change, and the resilience of the human spirit. Discuss your own reactions to the novel’s portrayal of a dystopian future and its exploration of human nature in the face of adversity. How did the novel challenge your perceptions of climate change and its potential impact on society?
Camp Zero is described as a near-future speculative fiction novel. Discuss how the author uses elements of speculative fiction, such as world-building and technological advancements, to create a believable and thought-provoking vision of a dystopian future. How does the speculative element of the novel enhance its themes and contribute to its overall impact?
The ending of Camp Zero is described as “not a tidy bow,” leaving room for interpretation and reflection. Discuss your interpretation of the ending and how it resonated with you. What do you think the author was trying to convey with the open-ended conclusion, and how did it affect your overall impression of the novel?
CAMP ZERO features a diverse cast of characters, some of whom are sympathetic despite their involvement in harmful acts. Reflect on your emotional response to the characters while reading the story and discuss which characters you found yourself drawn to and why.
If given the choice, which location from CAMP ZERO would you choose to live in: the Floating City, White Alice, or Camp Zero itself? Discuss the pros and cons of each location and reflect on the implications of living in these different settings.
Power dynamics are a prevalent theme in Camp Zero, with various characters and groups vying for control. Analyze the complex power dynamics at play in the novel, including the roles of the government, the researchers at White Alice, and the Blooms. How do these different entities exercise power and influence over each other? Who ultimately holds the most power in the story, and how does this power imbalance affect the characters and their actions?

Selected Reviews for Camp Zero

“[A] stunning debut . . . Sterling’s future is close enough to the present to be entirely recognizable, underlining this cleverly constructed climate fiction mystery with palpable terror: this world feels like one many readers could see within their lifetimes. This should earn a place on shelves alongside Station Eleven and Annihilation.” —Publishers Weekly

“A smart setup . . . The book has a soul that generates momentum. It’s committed to the bonds of family, the ones we are born into and the ones we choose, as a way forward in an increasingly chaotic world. A love letter to what communities of women can accomplish when they work in concert.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In an equally tantalizing and terrifying tour de force, Michelle Min Sterling boldly remixes the realities of our present world, the danger we are in, and the fates we have settled for through a mesmerizing story of loyalty, deception, and ultimately love. Camp Zero’s dark twists and bright turns left me breathless, hopeful, furious, and emboldened until the very end.” —NANCY JOOYOUN KIM

Additional Recommendations

Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling!

Here are some more of my book club recommendations:

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remaining. Who would you save?

A decade ago, two vans filled with high school seniors on a school service trip crashed into a Tennessee ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The nine students who managed to escape the river that night were irrevocably changed. A year later, after one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash, the rest of them make a pact: to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night.

To keep one another safe.
To hold one another accountable.
Or both.

Their annual meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks, has long been a refuge. But by the tenth anniversary, Cassidy Bent has worked to distance herself from the tragedy, and from the other survivors. She’s changed her mobile number. She’s blocked the others’ email addresses. This year, she is determined to finally break ties once and for all. But on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. Now they are seven—and Cassidy finds herself hurling back toward the group, wild with grief—and suspicion.

Almost immediately, something feels off this year. Cassidy is the first to notice when Amaya, annual organizer, slips away, overwhelmed. This wouldn’t raise alarm except for the impending storm. Suddenly, they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. Then Amaya stops responding to her phone. After all they’ve been through, she wouldn’t willfully make them worry. Would she?

And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they?

A propulsive and chilling locked-box mystery filled with the dazzling hairpin twists that are the author’s signature, The Only Survivors is New York Times-bestselling author Megan Miranda’s best novel yet.

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

Most folk thought Sallie Kincaid was a nobody who’d amount to nothing. Sallie had other plans.

Sallie Kincaid is the daughter of the biggest man in a small town, the charismatic Duke Kincaid. Born at the turn of the 20th century into a life of comfort and privilege, Sallie remembers little about her mother who died in a violent argument with the Duke. By the time she is just eight years old, the Duke has remarried and had a son, Eddie. While Sallie is her father’s daughter, sharp-witted and resourceful, Eddie is his mother’s son, timid and cerebral. When Sallie tries to teach young Eddie to be more like their father, her daredevil coaching leads to an accident, and Sallie is cast out.

Nine years later, she returns, determined to reclaim her place in the family. That’s a lot more complicated than Sallie expected, and she enters a world of conflict and lawlessness. Sallie confronts the secrets and scandals that hide in the shadows of the Big House, navigates the factions in the family and town, and finally comes into her own as a bold, sometimes reckless bootlegger.

You will fall in love with Sallie Kincaid, a feisty and fearless, terrified and damaged young woman who refuses to be corralled.

The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland

Richmond, Virginia 1811. It’s the height of the winter social season, the General Assembly is in session, and many of Virginia’s gentleman planters, along with their wives and children, have made the long and arduous journey to the capital in hopes of whiling away the darkest days of the year.

At the city’s only theater, the Charleston-based Placide & Green Company puts on two plays a night to meet the demand of a populace that’s done looking for enlightenment at the front of a church.

On the night after Christmas, the theater is packed with more than six hundred holiday revelers. In the third-floor boxes, sits newly-widowed Sally Henry Campbell, who is glad for any opportunity to relive the happy times she shared with her husband. One floor away, in the colored gallery, Cecily Patterson doesn’t give a whit about the play but is grateful for a four-hour reprieve from a life that has recently gone from bad to worse.

Backstage, young stagehand Jack Gibson hopes that, if he can impress the theater’s managers, he’ll be offered a permanent job with the company. And on the other side of town, blacksmith Gilbert Hunt dreams of one day being able to bring his wife to the theater, but he’ll have to buy her freedom first.

When the theater goes up in flames in the middle of the performance, Sally, Cecily, Jack, and Gilbert make a series of split-second decisions that will not only affect their own lives but those of countless others. And in the days following the fire, as news of the disaster spreads across the United States, the paths of these four people will become forever intertwined.

Based on the true story of Richmond’s theater fire, The House Is on Fire offers proof that sometimes, in the midst of great tragedy, we are offered our most precious—and fleeting—chances at redemption.

Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions and as always, happy reading! ❤️