The story
Where is the boy from?
South Sudan
What was his house like?
Small mud and thatch
What big event changed the boys life when he was just young?
His village got attacked when he was far from home.
What does 'dangerous' mean?
It means something is not safe.
Had he been the only one to lose his family?
No, “too many to count”.
“everything had gone” What happened to his family?
They had all died.
It was far and dangerous – why did they still go?
It was their only hope.
What does 'improve' mean?
To make something better.
How old were the people in the moving village?
Between 5 - 15 years old.
Why were there no girls or women in the moving village?
They were at home at the time - their job was not tending to cattle. They all died.
Was the road to Ethiopia easy or hard? What in the text suggests this? Find at least 2 reasons.
No food, No water, people got sick.
What does 'adopt' mean?
To take care of something or someone.
What was in the way of their journey from Ethiopia back to South Sudan?
The Gilo River that was huge and swollen due to rainy season.
When they got to the refugee camp in Kenya, where did they find Chuti?
In Toms house, eating candy and drawing a picture.
The main character wanted to take his books with him when he crossed the river. What did he compare his books to ?
His future, his mother and father.
What does 'tattered' mean?
Old and torn.
Bullets began to rain down
Storm of bullets
Why is the war compared to a storm?
Storms are huge forces of nature and we are unable to do anything about it. Suggests they are helpless in this situation.
The boy says, “I was proud but scared” – why?
He was proud he was taking charge & people had faith in him but scared he’d fail.
In Kenya, how did they make sure everyone got food and everyone got an education?
They took it in turns foraging for food and going to school. At night the boys who got food would share it, and those who went to school would share their lessons.
What does 'gathered my courage' mean?
To be brave.