SETTING & BACKGROUND
Where does Zlata’s Diary take place?
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What does Zlata name her diary?
Mimmy.
How old is Zlata when she starts writing her diary?
She is about eleven years old.
Who are Zlata’s closest family members in the story?
Her mother and father.
What is one major theme of the book?
The effects of war on ordinary people, especially children.
During what historical event does the story take place?
The Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo
What is Zlata’s life like at the beginning of the diary?
She has a normal childhood with school, friends, music lessons, family activities, and birthdays.
How would you describe Zlata before the war?
She is a normal, happy child who enjoys school, friends, music, and family life
Who is Mimmy?
Mimmy is the name Zlata gives to her diary, treating it like a friend she can talk to.
What does Zlata’s diary show about childhood during war?
That children can lose normal experiences like school, safety, and freedom.
What kind of book is Zlata’s Diary?
It is a nonfiction diary/memoir written by Zlata about her real experiences during war.
What changes Zlata’s everyday life?
The war begins, bringing violence, danger, and shortages of basic needs like electricity and food.
What makes Zlata different from many children her age?
She experiences and writes about the realities of war while still being a child.
Why are Zlata’s neighbors important?
They help and support her family during the difficult conditions of the war.
Why is writing important to Zlata?
Writing helps her express her emotions, remember events, and share what is happening around her.
When does Zlata begin writing her diary?
She begins writing in September 1991, before the war fully affects her daily life.
Where does Zlata and her family often go for safety during attacks?
To a neighbor’s cellar/shelter during bombings.
How does Zlata show courage?
She continues writing, expressing her feelings, and trying to stay hopeful despite fear and suffering.
Who are the people Zlata misses as the war continues?
Her friends, relatives, and people who leave Sarajevo because of the danger.
What does the book teach about humanity during difficult times?
People can still show kindness, friendship, and support even during suffering.
How does Sarajevo change throughout the book?
It changes from a normal city where Zlata goes to school and enjoys childhood into a dangerous place affected by bombing, shortages, and fear.
How does Zlata eventually leave Sarajevo?
She and her family are helped to leave and escape to Paris in 1993.
How does Zlata change throughout the diary?
She becomes more mature and thoughtful as she witnesses the effects of war and loss.
Why are Zlata’s parents important to her story?
They provide love, protection, and support while helping her survive a frightening time.
Why is Zlata’s Diary important today?
It gives readers a child’s personal perspective on war and helps people understand how conflicts affect everyday lives.