SETTING
Where does the story take place?
Kosovo.
Who is the main character of the story?
Zana Dugolli
How old is Zana?
Eleven years old.
Who is Zana’s father and what advice does he give her?
He is Papa, and he tells her not to let hatred fill her heart.
What is the main theme of the book?
Survival and finding hope during difficult times.
What time period does the story take place in?
During the Kosovo conflict/war in the late 1990s (especially around 1998–1999).
What happens when Zana’s village is attacked?
Her father and two brothers are killed, and Zana is badly injured in her leg.
How would you describe Zana at the beginning of the story?
She is a loving, family-focused girl who enjoys her village life but feels unsafe because of the conflict.
Who is Lena?
Lena is Zana’s Serbian friend. Their friendship shows that individuals can be kind even when groups are in conflict.
What does the book teach about hatred?
Hatred can destroy people, but forgiveness and kindness can help people heal.
What kind of place does Zana live in at the beginning of the story?
A village where her family has a farm and an apple orchard.
Where does Zana go after she is injured?
She is taken to a hospital where she receives treatment.
What makes Zana a strong character?
She survives tragedy, injury, and loss while trying to keep kindness and hope.
Who is Zana’s brother who survives with her?
Ilir.
Why is friendship an important theme?
Because Zana’s friendship with Lena shows that people are more than the groups they belong to.
Why does Zana’s village become dangerous?
Because of the fighting between Serbian forces and Albanian Kosovars during the conflict.
What important lesson does Zana remember from her father?
“Don’t let them fill your heart with hate.”
What does Zana learn about people during the story?
That even during war, people can still show kindness and compassion.
Why is Zana’s friendship with Lena important?
It shows that friendship can exist despite the hatred and division caused by war.
Why is this considered historical fiction?
Because it is a fictional story based on real historical events from the Kosovo conflict.
How does the setting affect Zana’s everyday life?
She cannot feel completely safe, worries about her family, and has to live with fear and uncertainty because of the war.
What is one major conflict Zana faces besides the war around her?
She struggles with grief, anger, fear, and trying not to hate the people who hurt her family.
How does Zana change from the beginning to the end?
She becomes more mature and learns to deal with pain without letting hatred control her.
What does Zana’s family represent in the story?
They represent love, survival, and the impact war has on ordinary families.
What message does the author want readers to understand?
Even during terrible events, people can choose compassion, hope, and humanity.