Josef
What is strange about Josef mourning his father in the last chapters of the book?
His father isn't dead.
What item does Isabel wear of Ivan's after his death?
Baseball cap
How does Mahmoud's father deal with stressful situations?
He makes jokes.
What is Josef's sister's name?
Ruthie or Frau Rosenburg
What is the political party of the Nazis? (Starts with an F)
Fascism
Why does Schiendick smile when the ship is off the American coast?
Because the Jews will be shipped back to Europe.
Why does Isabel yell "no" in the boat right before reaching US soil?
Mama tells her to go on
Lito jumps overboard
Sr. Castillo has ahold of her and she doesn't understand he is trying to help all of them get to shore.
What eventually causes Waleed to "wake up"?
When Mahmoud decides to stand up against the Hungarian prison guards in front of the UN.
How is the word tomorrow (manana) a motif in the book?
Because the refugees are regularly delayed with the promise of tomorrow (it rarely comes).
Where is Turkey in relation to Syria? or
Where is Austria in relation to Germany?
They border each other. Turkey is north of Syria and Austria is south of Germany.
Injuring himself trying to protect his mom and sister.
Calling out for help at the house where there's a fire burning.
Sacrificing himself by volunteering to go to the camps.
Why does Lito sacrifice himself?
What is Mahmoud's realization about the treatment of refugees?
That "they" only notice you when you are doing something they don't want you to do.
What is clave and what is its connection in the novel?
a syncopated Latin rhythm; it is prevalent in Cuban music and Isabel struggles to hear it. It could be a symbol of her readiness to thrive.
Why did Fidel Castro take away the Cuban churches?
So Cubans would focus on being Communist, Cuban and not be distracted by allegiance to God.
Why is Josef dissatisfied with his schooling experience in France?
He considers himself a man and he is forced to stay in the 1st grade because he doesn't speak French.
What does Sr. Castillo want to do in the states?
Open a restaurant.
How do we know that Mahmoud's family is very devout (spiritual)?
They have maintained a strict prayer schedule.
Describe one detail about the Muslim praying ritual.
Facing mecca, several times a day, specific time, specific memorized words, etc.
What is a possible theme related to growing up?
Answers vary.
How do we find out what happened to Josef?
We learn through Mahmoud's chapter that Ruthie was left in the woods and Josef and his mother were sent on to a concentration camp.
How has Isabel's father changed throughout the book?
He went from reckless, selfish and self-centered to attentive, practical and self-sacrificing.
What was a clue that Mahmoud's family is meeting Ruthie, before we hear her or Josef's name mentioned?
Bitsy (toy rabbit) is in the room, story of father making it to Cuba but others didn't, mother's choice, etc.
What does Mama tell Josef about how he got his name?
He was named after her brother. He died in the "Great War."
Why do you think the author wrote three different stories and had them intertwine?
To show the theme of paying it forward and that we are all connected as humans, no matter our country of origin.