Characters
Who is Josef?
This Jewish boy flees Germany in 1939.
What is Germany?
Josef’s story begins in this country.
What is Kristallnacht?
Josef’s father is arrested during this violent attack on Jews.
What is survival?
A major theme about staying alive during danger.
What is a refugee?
A person forced to leave their country because of danger.
Who is Isabel?
This Cuban girl loves music and singing.
What is Cuba?
Isabel lives in this island country.
What is a raft?
Isabel’s family leaves Cuba on this kind of boat.
What is love or compassion?
The stories show families helping one another through this theme.
What is a visa?
An official paper needed to enter another country.
Who is Mahmoud?
This Syrian boy tries to protect his family during war.
What is Syria?
Mahmoud’s family escapes from this country.
What is a rubber boat?
Mahmoud’s family nearly drowns while traveling on this.
What is safety or freedom?
Refugees search for this in a new country.
What is invisible?
Mahmoud tries to become this so people will ignore him.
Who is Ruthie?
Josef’s younger sister.
What is the St. Louis?
Josef and his family travel on this ship.
What happens at the concentration camp selection?
Josef sacrifices himself so his sister can live.
What is bravery?
Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud all show this quality when facing danger.
What is a yellow star?
The Nazis forced Jewish people to wear this symbol.
Who is Lito?
Isabel’s grandfather who wants freedom for Cuba.
What is the Mediterranean Sea?
Mahmoud’s family crosses this sea to reach safety.
What is the trip across the ocean?
Isabel saves a baby during this dangerous journey.
What is empathy?
The author teaches readers to show this toward refugees.
What is a concentration camp?
A place where prisoners were held during the Holocaust.