Character Traits
Character Relationships
Theme
Subject/Verb
Discussion
100
This character never has anything nice to say to Rifka.
Who is Saul?
100
Based on the story, this brother is Rifka's favorite.
Who is Nathan?
100
This is one possible theme for Letters from Rifka.
What is family comes first, be courageous, etc.?
100
The subject in the sentence, "We could not risk telling you the details of our escape in case the soldiers came to question you."
What is "we"?
100
The author of Letters from Rifka.
Who is Karen Hesse?
200
Papa is shown to strongly value this when he decides that the whole family is running away.
What is family, loyalty, love, etc.?
200
These people are the reason that Rifka's family decided to escape to America.
Who are Rifka's brothers in America?
200
This is a detail from Letters from Rifka that points to the theme being "Family comes first."
What is Papa deciding that the whole family must run away to save Nathan and Saul?
200
The verb in the sentence, "They were searching for Nathan."
What is "were searching"?
200
The location of the family as Rifka writes her letter to Tovah.
What is in Ukraine on a train to Poland?
300
This is one possible explanation for why the candlesticks are so important to Rifka's mother.
What is sentimental value, to keep them from being stolen, etc.?
300
Based on the story, these words could be used to describe Rifka's relationship with Tovah.
What are warm, loving, close, friendly, etc.?
300
The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story.
What is theme?
300
The subject in the sentence, "Good riddance, I thought."
What is "I"?
300
The country from which Rifka and her family are escaping.
What is Russia?
400
These are some words that could be used to describe Rifka.
What are small, quiet, unnoticeable, brave, sneaky, etc.?
400
These are the two feelings that Rifka has when she learns that the army is coming to take Saul.
What are happiness and shame?
400
One detail from the story that supports the theme "Be courageous."
What is Rifka distracting the guards, Nathan coming to warn Saul, etc.?
400
Verb in the sentence, "Rifka, run and fill your rucksack with all of your belongings."
What are "run" and "fill"?
400
The approximate year that Rifka and her family are fleeing.
What is 1919?
500
Based on the story, these are some words that could be used to describe Uncle Avrum.
What are helpful, secretive, loyal, etc.?
500
Based on the story, this is how Rifka and her family probably feel toward Uncle Avrum.
What is thankful, grateful, etc.?
500
This is the reason that Rifka's letter to Tovah helps us to understand the theme.
What is Rifka's thoughts about important events are revealed to us?
500
Subject in the sentence, "Nathan's news made me glad."
What is "news"?
500
The reason that Rifka and her family decided to flee?
What is to save Saul, Nathan, and the rest of the family?
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