The Gist
Who is the main character in Nasreen's Secret School?
Nasreen
Who is telling the story?
Nasreen's grandma
Who did Nasreen say her first words to since her mama had gone searching?
Mina
According to the story, how did the city of Herat change for the worse? Why did it change?
According to the story, the city of Herat changed for the worse when the soldiers came. They took away the art and music and learning, especially for the girls.
What is the setting of Nasreen's Secret School?
Nasreen's Secret School takes place in Herat, Afghanistan.
What happened to Nasreen's dad?
Soldiers took him away.
What does "Windows opened for Nasreen in that little schoolroom." mean?
The things Nasreen learned would make her world bigger.
According to the story, why did Nasreen stop speaking and smiling?
According to the story, Nasreen stopped speaking and smiling because her mom and dad went missing.
What did Nasreen want?
She wanted her mother and father to come back.
How long did Nasreen's mom wait before looking for her husband?
Nasreen's mom waited many days and nights for his return.
What evidence from the text tells us that Nasreen's mom and dad have not been found?
"I still wait for my son and his wife."
In what way did the boys of the village help the girls of Nasreen’s school?
The boys of the village helped the girls of Nasreen’s school by distracting the soldiers.
What was Nasreen's challenge?
Her mother and father were taken, so she was sad and lonely.
Where is Nasreen's secret school located?
In a private house
Why does Nasreen no longer feel alone?
The knowledge she holds inside will always be with her, like a good friend.
What event or events in the story made Nasreen change back to being a happy child?
Nasreen changed back to being a happy child when she went back to school and Mina whispered in her ear "I missed you." She told Mina the story of her mom and dad.
What was the solution in Nasreen's Secret School?
Her grandmother took her to a secret school.
At the end of the story, how does Nasreen feel about school and her future, why?
At the end of the story, Nasreen is happy about school and her future because she learned about the world and made a new friend.
What did Nasreen learn in school?
Nasreen learned to read, write, subtract and add. She learned about the artists, writers, scholars and mystics who, long ago made Herat beautiful.