Literal
Who is the main character in the story?
Kenichi “Zeni” Zenimura
Why did Zeni want to build a baseball field in the camp?
To bring hope and happiness to people there
What does “internment” mean?
Being forced to stay in a camp during wartime
What is the main idea of the story?
One man brought hope to others through baseball
What sport does Zeni love to play?
Baseball
How did playing baseball help people in the camp?
It gave them a sense of normal life and teamwork
What does spectator mean?
people who look and watch an event
How does the setting of the internment camp affect the way the characters act and feel?
The camp is harsh and unfair, so the characters feel trapped and sad, which makes baseball a way to find joy.
What did Zeni build inside the camp?
A baseball field
What does Zeni’s determination tell you about his character?
He is hardworking, hopeful, and doesn’t give up easily
What does descent mean?
the family background or national origin of a person
How does the author show the power of community?
People worked together to build and play baseball
Where was Zeni sent during the war?
A Japanese American internment camp
Why do you think the author included details about Zeni being small as a child?
To show that he overcame challenges and never let his size stop him
What is the part of speech of desolate?
adjective
What message does the author want readers to learn from Zeni’s story?
That courage and hope can exist even in difficult times
What did the people use to build the baseball field?
Scrap wood, tar paper, and other leftover materials
How did baseball become a symbol of freedom in the story?
It allowed the prisoners to feel free and joyful even behind barbed wire
What does the greek root word "auto-" mean?
self
Why is Barbed Wire Baseball considered historical fiction or narrative nonfiction?
It tells a true story about a real person from history, with facts and emotional details