1. As the novel opens, Lina explains that though the signs were in place, she has little understanding that her parents had planned to attempt to escape Lithuania. What can be inferred about her understanding of the political climate in her country? Do you think her surprise is a typical reaction for a teen? Why or why not?
She does not understand what is happening or why she has to leave her house. She doesn’t understand why she has to run away. I don’t think it is because she should know somewhat of what is happening. Her parents should have informed her of what was going to happen. I think she was naive. Even though I think she should have known that it was probably typical of a teen back then to not know what was going on in their country so it is understandable that she was surprised.
2. Lina’s mother remains calm throughout the roundup of her family; how does her family benefit from this?
Because Lina’s mother was calm it made her family not worry as much. They stayed calm and did not worry or get scared. Lina and her brother did not rebel against the soldiers because they might have if they got scared or angry. They’re emotions did not show that much because their mother stayed calm and showed them how they should act. She was a good example for them to follow and they benefited because they did not do anything bad and stayed calm.
3. When Jonas observes his mother smashing her beloved china and crystal before they depart their home, he asks her why she is destroying these items. She replies, “Because I love them so much.” (p. 18) Do you consider this an act of rebellion? In your opinion, is her reaction appropriate? In what ways is she trying to control the situation?
I would consider it an act of rebellion because she knew what they were going to do with the china if she would not have broken it. She loved them so much and didn’t want the Nazi’s to use or sell them so she broke them. I think it was an act that said I don’t agree with this but she did it because she didn’t want them used. I think her reaction is appropriate because she was doing what she needed to do to save those things. She had the right to do that because they were coming to take away her and her family. She did that instead of directly saying something to the officers which would have hurt her and the kids. She did it so she had some sanity left and so she could stay calm otherwise.
4. As Lina’s family is first placed in the truck to take them to the trains, they meet the bald man who proclaims loudly, “We’re all going to die. We will surely die.” (p. 22) How does his presence affect the other prisoners? Consider and explain how Lina and her mother react to his rants. In what ways is Elena (Lina’s mother) sympathetic to his condition?
It makes the other prisoners hopeless. It makes them more scared and puts them on edge. It makes the whole situation worse. They try to tell him to stop. Lina does not like him but her mother tries to be as helpful as she can to him. She tried to be nice and kind to him. She helps him. Elena understands what he is going through and his condition because in a way he is true, the other people are just too afraid to admit it. She understands that he knows what is likely to happen and he just wants the pain to go away and die before he has to go through all that he is in store for. Elena knows why he is like that and she is just trying to make him feel better.
5. Using textual examples, what are some of the specific ways Lina’s mother chooses to fight back against the NKVD?
She breaks her china so they cannot use it to sell or use. She asks them for more time to get ready to leave. She sells them the gold necklace so her son can survive. She helps to keep the train car in order so the people are more calm. She is nice and kind to the people in the train car. She tries to help them to give them hope to stand against the NKVD. She tells Lina not to say anything to them because she doesn’t want them to hurt her.
6. Being held prisoner on the train brings out the best and worst in some of the inhabitants. Consider and discuss some of the ways that individuals extend their assistance and support. How do their choices differ from those who are most unkind to others?
The librarian tells the kids in the train stories which calms them down and gives them something to do other than worry about what is happening now. It makes them not think so much about what is really going on. The nice people in the train share the food they have with everyone. Lina’s mom was very helpful with everyone because she was a good leader and helped them because she was able to speak Russian and talk to the soldiers. The nice people in the train made life easier and the people who were unkind and selfish just made everything worse for everyone like the lady who hid the open hole.
7. Lina openly shares the nature of the condition in which she and the other prisoners are forced to live. What feelings does this openness cause you to feel about her honesty?
I feel surprised that she would be that open about telling what exactly happened. She wasn’t embarrassed to say everything that happens and she has a lot of courage and bravery for openly saying she doesn’t like the NKVD. What she tells us makes me feel really bad for her and I have sympathy for what they had to go through. I realize how strong of a head she has and I commend her for being so brave because I don’t think I could do what she did. It makes me hate the NKVD when she tells what they did to her.
8. How does the author use the embedded flashbacks to help readers understand why Lina’s family has been rounded up for punishment? Do you agree with the family’s choices? Why or why not?
She uses the flashbacks to show what had happened in Lina’s family before they got taken away and the relevance it has to what is happening to them now. She uses it to show a glimpse of what they did to get taken away. I agree with the family’s choices because they have the right to do what they did. They were taken because her dad was against what was happening to the Jews and they did not agree with Hitler.
9. Though readers mostly learn about Kostas, Lina’s father, through her shared memories, a great deal can be understood about his character. In your opinion, what kind of man is he? Is he a good father? Use textual evidence to make your case.
I think he is a kind man. What I can understand from her flashbacks, I see that her father was a good man that loved his children. I think he was high up and many people admired him. To me he was a leader. All these things I understand from when she was thinking back to when he was eating with his friends. Also another time when he told her she can’t say bad things about Hitler and the Nazis. He said that because he really loves her and cares for his family. I can also tell that he is against Hitler and has a strong opinions about him because Lina’s mother told him that Lina was just like him. I believe he is a very good father because he loves his kids and wants to do what is best for them.
10. Why does Lina’s mother, Elena, pretend she doesn’t know her cousin Regina? What is she trying to accomplish? What can be gleaned about Elena from this encounter?
She did it to protect her because she didn’t want the NKVD to know she was related to her because if they did they might try to take Regina too and Elena did not want that to happen. She was trying to accomplish safety for her cousin and didn’t want anything to happen to her. She wanted to hide that she was related or even that she knew her. You can see that Elena cares about others more than she cares about herself. She wants others to be safe and doesn’t want anything to get any worse.
11. Though Ona’s baby is a newborn, she is still considered an enemy of the state due to the actions of her father. What can be understood about the government’s policy?
I can understand that they have no mercy for anyone, even children. They do not care what happens as long as what they want gets done it is fine with them. They do not want people going against them and if they do they punish them for doing it. They wanted to eliminate Ona’s baby because they did not want her to cause any trouble like her father and didn’t care that she was a child but that she was from her father. They wanted to make him suffer for what he did and give her the consequences for her father going against them. The government policy is controlling and absurd. They are murderers to innocent people and they don’t even care.
12. Upon arriving at the country train depot, the NKVD officers begin sorting the prisoners, and Lina asks, “Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother’s was worth a pocket watch.” (p. 35). How does this realization change Lina? In what ways does Lina better understand her mother’s actions and motivations?
It changes what she thinks about them. It makes her realize what is really happening and how harsh they really are. She realizes that NKVD do not like them and how bad it will be if she says something bad. She understands how they will be treated and that this isn’t a joke. She understands why her mother wants to help everyone because she knows how they feel. Now she knows why her mother always tells them to stick together. She knows why her mother took that and money with her in case something like that would happen. She knows why her mother tried her hardest to keep them together.
13. After Jonas is selected to be separated from his mother and sister, their mother is able to save his life by using her language skills and quick wit. What are some of the specific things she does to secure his safety?
She tries to convince the officer to let him stay with them. She uses her language skills to talk to him and uses money. She secures his safety by keeping him with them because if he would have been separated he probably would have died. She uses the money to save his son’s life. That secures him from dying by convincing the solider to let him stay.
14. Discuss the character traits that allow Lina, Jonas, and Andrius to ultimately persevere. How are these characters similar to each other? In what ways are they different? Which character are you most like?
They both love their families very much. Their hate for the NKVD helps also. They want to get out of there. Both their fathers were doing things the government did not like. Andrius is older so he does different things than them. He is also stronger and would be the best worker of them all. They are all very brave though. I am probably the most like Lina because she is confident and has a loud mouth. She has a big opinion and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. She forgets that she’s talking sometimes and regrets doing it. She loves her father very much and doesn’t give up. She has hope and has a lot of determination. If she wants something to happen she’s going to make it happen.
15. Throughout the novel, Lina uses her passion for her art to remain connected to her family and the outside world. What are some of the specific ways she does this?
She is determined to stay in touch with her father and let him know where they are somehow. She draws in the train car because she thinks if she leaves a trail of drawings he will be able to find her and he will know it was her from the drawings. She draws pictures of what is happening to keep to somehow get to her cousins or someone who will be able to come help them. She draws so the people on the outside know what is really happening. She also draws on the handkerchief and gives it to the man who said he will pass it along. It has a message on it for her father.
She does not understand what is happening or why she has to leave her house. She doesn’t understand why she has to run away. I don’t think it is because she should know somewhat of what is happening. Her parents should have informed her of what was going to happen. I think she was naive. Even though I think she should have known that it was probably typical of a teen back then to not know what was going on in their country so it is understandable that she was surprised.
2. Lina’s mother remains calm throughout the roundup of her family; how does her family benefit from this?
Because Lina’s mother was calm it made her family not worry as much. They stayed calm and did not worry or get scared. Lina and her brother did not rebel against the soldiers because they might have if they got scared or angry. They’re emotions did not show that much because their mother stayed calm and showed them how they should act. She was a good example for them to follow and they benefited because they did not do anything bad and stayed calm.
3. When Jonas observes his mother smashing her beloved china and crystal before they depart their home, he asks her why she is destroying these items. She replies, “Because I love them so much.” (p. 18) Do you consider this an act of rebellion? In your opinion, is her reaction appropriate? In what ways is she trying to control the situation?
I would consider it an act of rebellion because she knew what they were going to do with the china if she would not have broken it. She loved them so much and didn’t want the Nazi’s to use or sell them so she broke them. I think it was an act that said I don’t agree with this but she did it because she didn’t want them used. I think her reaction is appropriate because she was doing what she needed to do to save those things. She had the right to do that because they were coming to take away her and her family. She did that instead of directly saying something to the officers which would have hurt her and the kids. She did it so she had some sanity left and so she could stay calm otherwise.
4. As Lina’s family is first placed in the truck to take them to the trains, they meet the bald man who proclaims loudly, “We’re all going to die. We will surely die.” (p. 22) How does his presence affect the other prisoners? Consider and explain how Lina and her mother react to his rants. In what ways is Elena (Lina’s mother) sympathetic to his condition?
It makes the other prisoners hopeless. It makes them more scared and puts them on edge. It makes the whole situation worse. They try to tell him to stop. Lina does not like him but her mother tries to be as helpful as she can to him. She tried to be nice and kind to him. She helps him. Elena understands what he is going through and his condition because in a way he is true, the other people are just too afraid to admit it. She understands that he knows what is likely to happen and he just wants the pain to go away and die before he has to go through all that he is in store for. Elena knows why he is like that and she is just trying to make him feel better.
5. Using textual examples, what are some of the specific ways Lina’s mother chooses to fight back against the NKVD?
She breaks her china so they cannot use it to sell or use. She asks them for more time to get ready to leave. She sells them the gold necklace so her son can survive. She helps to keep the train car in order so the people are more calm. She is nice and kind to the people in the train car. She tries to help them to give them hope to stand against the NKVD. She tells Lina not to say anything to them because she doesn’t want them to hurt her.
6. Being held prisoner on the train brings out the best and worst in some of the inhabitants. Consider and discuss some of the ways that individuals extend their assistance and support. How do their choices differ from those who are most unkind to others?
The librarian tells the kids in the train stories which calms them down and gives them something to do other than worry about what is happening now. It makes them not think so much about what is really going on. The nice people in the train share the food they have with everyone. Lina’s mom was very helpful with everyone because she was a good leader and helped them because she was able to speak Russian and talk to the soldiers. The nice people in the train made life easier and the people who were unkind and selfish just made everything worse for everyone like the lady who hid the open hole.
7. Lina openly shares the nature of the condition in which she and the other prisoners are forced to live. What feelings does this openness cause you to feel about her honesty?
I feel surprised that she would be that open about telling what exactly happened. She wasn’t embarrassed to say everything that happens and she has a lot of courage and bravery for openly saying she doesn’t like the NKVD. What she tells us makes me feel really bad for her and I have sympathy for what they had to go through. I realize how strong of a head she has and I commend her for being so brave because I don’t think I could do what she did. It makes me hate the NKVD when she tells what they did to her.
8. How does the author use the embedded flashbacks to help readers understand why Lina’s family has been rounded up for punishment? Do you agree with the family’s choices? Why or why not?
She uses the flashbacks to show what had happened in Lina’s family before they got taken away and the relevance it has to what is happening to them now. She uses it to show a glimpse of what they did to get taken away. I agree with the family’s choices because they have the right to do what they did. They were taken because her dad was against what was happening to the Jews and they did not agree with Hitler.
9. Though readers mostly learn about Kostas, Lina’s father, through her shared memories, a great deal can be understood about his character. In your opinion, what kind of man is he? Is he a good father? Use textual evidence to make your case.
I think he is a kind man. What I can understand from her flashbacks, I see that her father was a good man that loved his children. I think he was high up and many people admired him. To me he was a leader. All these things I understand from when she was thinking back to when he was eating with his friends. Also another time when he told her she can’t say bad things about Hitler and the Nazis. He said that because he really loves her and cares for his family. I can also tell that he is against Hitler and has a strong opinions about him because Lina’s mother told him that Lina was just like him. I believe he is a very good father because he loves his kids and wants to do what is best for them.
10. Why does Lina’s mother, Elena, pretend she doesn’t know her cousin Regina? What is she trying to accomplish? What can be gleaned about Elena from this encounter?
She did it to protect her because she didn’t want the NKVD to know she was related to her because if they did they might try to take Regina too and Elena did not want that to happen. She was trying to accomplish safety for her cousin and didn’t want anything to happen to her. She wanted to hide that she was related or even that she knew her. You can see that Elena cares about others more than she cares about herself. She wants others to be safe and doesn’t want anything to get any worse.
11. Though Ona’s baby is a newborn, she is still considered an enemy of the state due to the actions of her father. What can be understood about the government’s policy?
I can understand that they have no mercy for anyone, even children. They do not care what happens as long as what they want gets done it is fine with them. They do not want people going against them and if they do they punish them for doing it. They wanted to eliminate Ona’s baby because they did not want her to cause any trouble like her father and didn’t care that she was a child but that she was from her father. They wanted to make him suffer for what he did and give her the consequences for her father going against them. The government policy is controlling and absurd. They are murderers to innocent people and they don’t even care.
12. Upon arriving at the country train depot, the NKVD officers begin sorting the prisoners, and Lina asks, “Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother’s was worth a pocket watch.” (p. 35). How does this realization change Lina? In what ways does Lina better understand her mother’s actions and motivations?
It changes what she thinks about them. It makes her realize what is really happening and how harsh they really are. She realizes that NKVD do not like them and how bad it will be if she says something bad. She understands how they will be treated and that this isn’t a joke. She understands why her mother wants to help everyone because she knows how they feel. Now she knows why her mother always tells them to stick together. She knows why her mother took that and money with her in case something like that would happen. She knows why her mother tried her hardest to keep them together.
13. After Jonas is selected to be separated from his mother and sister, their mother is able to save his life by using her language skills and quick wit. What are some of the specific things she does to secure his safety?
She tries to convince the officer to let him stay with them. She uses her language skills to talk to him and uses money. She secures his safety by keeping him with them because if he would have been separated he probably would have died. She uses the money to save his son’s life. That secures him from dying by convincing the solider to let him stay.
14. Discuss the character traits that allow Lina, Jonas, and Andrius to ultimately persevere. How are these characters similar to each other? In what ways are they different? Which character are you most like?
They both love their families very much. Their hate for the NKVD helps also. They want to get out of there. Both their fathers were doing things the government did not like. Andrius is older so he does different things than them. He is also stronger and would be the best worker of them all. They are all very brave though. I am probably the most like Lina because she is confident and has a loud mouth. She has a big opinion and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. She forgets that she’s talking sometimes and regrets doing it. She loves her father very much and doesn’t give up. She has hope and has a lot of determination. If she wants something to happen she’s going to make it happen.
15. Throughout the novel, Lina uses her passion for her art to remain connected to her family and the outside world. What are some of the specific ways she does this?
She is determined to stay in touch with her father and let him know where they are somehow. She draws in the train car because she thinks if she leaves a trail of drawings he will be able to find her and he will know it was her from the drawings. She draws pictures of what is happening to keep to somehow get to her cousins or someone who will be able to come help them. She draws so the people on the outside know what is really happening. She also draws on the handkerchief and gives it to the man who said he will pass it along. It has a message on it for her father.