Character
Who is Leendert Schenderhans? Why is his disliked?
He is the brother of Hendrink Schenderhands; his parents are farmers. He is a landwatcher and betrays the Dutch people to the German occupiers, which is why people dislike him.
In what time period does this story take place?
A. 1910s - World War 1
B. 1920s - Roaring Economy
C. 1930s - Great Depression
D. 1940s - World War 2
This story takes place in
D. 1940s - World War 2
Explain the situation with the occupation of the home country. Name the country. Name the occupying force. Explain how it happens.
The German army is occupying Holland.
Many characters show great hope in this story. Discuss two examples.
Answers may vary. Joris defends the dog Freya. The family takes in people who need housing. Dirk Jan helps a boy with a nosebleed while he's on the road. The characters keep going despite great hardship.
Joris, Dirk Jan, Mother, Father, Trixie (adopted).
What type of thing is The Winged Watchmen?
Early in the novel, Joris and Dirk Jan observe a British airplane get shot down over the sea. How many aviators survived? What happens to them.
Four aviators survived though three are captured. Joris finds one, Charles King, and helps him escape.
This novel shows several instances of characters displaying faith in times of war. Discuss one of them.
Answers may vary. Mrs. Verhagen takes in Trixie and raises her. Hildenbrand says that by reading he is able to gain perspective and not repeat the errors of today. Joris wonders why God allows war and realizes that people are the ones who wage war.
Name all of the people who come to stay with the Verhagens throughout the book. (5 out of 6 required to count as a correct answer. 3 out of 6 will keep your point total the same rather than lose points).
Trixie - adopted, Koba and Betsy, Charles King, Hildenbrand, Uncle Cor
Where does the story take place and what language is spoken there?
The Netherlands or Holland, Dutch
What event does Joris observe that he was not supposed to? Dirk Jan was helping Uncle Cor with it.
Joris observes a weapons drop.
Who is Kees Kip? What does he do? Share at least one specific story from the book.
Who does Joris help after Leendert harms her and to whom does he take her?
Joris helps Reina and takes her to Dr. de Vries.
What is an underdiver?
A dutch person who resists the German occupation and works against them.
Explain how the Germans try to take all the pet dogs for Army use. Who is Joris concerned about? How does he protect his dog. (Name the dog).
The Germans demand that all Dutch people turn over their pet dogs for the war effort. Joris wants to protect his dog Freya. He is concerned about Leendert. Joris brings a neighbor's elderly dog to get the protective red tag.
What is the password Dirk Jan uses to deliver his message to Van Loo?
The password is "Old Rhine and Green Cabbage."
Uncle Cor has a code name among the underdivers. What is it?
Uncle Cor's code name is Kees Kip.
What happens at the polder near the end of the book? What does Mr. Verhagen accomplish in this instance?
A polder is low-lying, below sea level, that is protected by Dikes. Mr. Verhagen drains the neighboring polder using his wind-powered mill and so saves the crops. His mill works because it's windpowered, not electric and the electric mills have been shut down.
Tell how the Verhagens spend the evening without electricity. What type of memories does this create for Hildenbrand?
The Verhagens sit together and sing and share stories by the light of one candle. Hildenbrand, the visiting student, remembers these fondly even though they were difficult.
Explain why Leendert Schenderhans, as a landwatcher, is not liked by either the Dutch or the Germans. Give examples.