In Chapter 2, the novel states, “My father stood in the sitting room, his eyes on the door. My mother put a hand to his chest, then her head to his. Some unspoken communication passed between them, and in a few moments my father took his coat off again and sent me back to bed" (pg. 13).
What unspoken communication passed between Yanek's mother and father? What might the adults know that Yanek may not know in this moment?
Question 26
26.
List 3 laws that have been passed so far in the novel that target, or directly affect, the Jewish people. You may write your response in a list format or in sentences.
Question 27
27.
Why was Yanek’s mother so hesitant to move to the hiding place on the roof?
What does she want placed on the door leading to the roof to protect her and her family?
Question 28
28.
Compare and contrast a typical bar mitzvah with Yanek’s bar mitzvah. Your response needs to include similarities AND differences between Yanek's bar mitzvah and a typical bar mitzvah (one that would have been allowed to happen before the war).
At the beginning of the novel, the setting is -
A) Berlin, Germany
B) Paris, France
C) Geneva, Switzerland
D) Krakow, Poland
At the beginning of the story, what does Yanek do to entertain his family?
A) Sings them songs on the karaoke machine
B) Acts out Western movies in the light of his projector
C) Reads them books about John Wayne
D) Pretends he is a radio announcer updating the news
Which one of Yanek's family members believed the war would be short and would never impact them?
A) His father
B) His mother
C) His Aunt Fela
D) His Uncle Moshe
At the beginning of the story, what news does the family hear about on the radio?
A) Germany had won the war
B) Poland was being invaded
C) Americans were joining the British forces
D) Americans were joining the German forces
What did Yanek's father mean when he said, "Let them take everything. They cannot take who we are"?
A) Even if the Nazis took every material object, the Jews would still have their faith and who they are at their cores
B) Even if Jews took all their belongings when they ran away, they would continue to live in fear
C) The Nazis might take their personal belongings, but they can't take their names
D) The Jews might lose their rights, but not their family inheritance
What was lit on fire at the end of Chapter 2?
A) Father's shoe shop
B) Yanek's school
C) Yanek's apartment
D) The synagogue
What is the type of currency that is used in Poland?
A) Zloty
B) Quota
C) Dollar
D) Pounds
In Chapter 4, where do Yanek and his father sneak off to during the night after curfew?
A) Uncle Abraham's bakery
B) Father's shoe store
C) The pigeon coop
D) An abandoned warehouse
Which of the following IS NOT a precaution that Uncle Abraham is taking at his bakery to ensure that they don't get caught making bread?
A) Wet wood is burned in one of the ovens
B) Someone is a designated watchmen and guards the front door at all times
C) Towels are placed at the door frame to help the smell of bread from escaping
D) Sheets are put up on the windows to ensure no light gets through
Why was Yanek disappointed when school was cancelled for all Jewish children?
A) He was able to get away from the crowded apartment at school
B) He loved to read and learn new things
C) He enjoyed being around all his friends
D) He liked science and math
In Chapter 6, the director of the ghetto Yanek and his family are in makes a special announcement. How many Jewish people are needed for the newest deportation?
A) 6,000
B) 7,000
C) 8,000
D) 9,000
Where does Yanek's mother hide all of the money and valuables they have left after the raid?
A) In their mattress
B) In the pigeon coop
C) Under the floorboards of their former apartment
D) In the lining of their coats
After the raid on their apartment, Yanek and his family decide to leave their apartment and move into -
A) The basement of an abandoned warehouse
B) The pigeon coop on the roof of their apartment building
C) Another apartment in their same building
D) Yanek's old school building
Yanek's dad is not with the family when the Nazis come to raid their apartment because -
A) He is out standing in line for vegetable rations
B) He was picked up in a work gang by the Nazis
C) He is out working in the bakery with Uncle Abraham
D) He is at his shoe store working
What is a Judenrat?
A) A curse word the Nazis called the Jews
B) A Jewish man that Nazis said was related to a rat
C) The nickname for a Jewish person who is deported
D) A Jewish police officer that had to take orders from a Nazi soldier
What were the Nazis doing to Yanek's family's neighborhood?
A) Bringing trains to take everyone to concentration camps
B) Walling it in and making it a ghetto
C) Opening Nazi marketplaces in town square
D) Forcing Jews to join their army
Why do Yanek's parents forbid him from going outside?
A) Jews would be shot on sight if they were not accompanied by an adult
B) He had to stay inside to help his family and protect them
C) Anyone could be forced to join work gangs and never seen again
D) The Nazis passed an age restriction on who could be outside at dusk
What is the mood in which Uncle Moshe responds to this wisdom from Yanek’s father when he said, “The man who falls asleep on the river drowns”?
A) Jubilant and happy
B) Cynical and pessimistic (does not look on the bright side)
C) Hateful
D) Indifferent (has no feelings on way or the other)
"THUMP THUMP THUMP" is just one of the many sound words/phrases used within the novel to enhance the text. These sound words are also known as -
A) Simile
B) Oxymoron
C) Onomatopoeia
D) Allusion
What were the people doing with the Immerglick's belongings after the raid?
A) Throwing them out
B) Taking them as their own
C) Burning them
D) Selling them
Based on the events that have happened so far in the novel, which of the following character traits BEST describes Yanek's father?
A) Skeptical (not easily convinced)
B) Naive (lack of wisdom or experience)
C) Apprehensive (fearful)
D) Authoritative (easily obeyed)
In Chapter 3, what significant PHYSICAL change was made to Krakow when it was turned into a Jewish ghetto?
A) Lights were to remain lit on every corner of the streets
B) Barbed wire was placed everywhere
C) A wall was constructed
D) All government buildings become non-accessible for Jewish people
Why does Yanek no longer think it would be fun to have siblings?
A) He wants all of the attention to himself
B) He is tired of sharing a bed
C) His mother and father expect him to care for the other children and baby-sit them
D) The other children do nothing but fight and argue
What is a 'deportation?'
A) Moving Jews to different apartments
B) Moving Nazis into the ghetto
C) Sending Jewish people to concentration and death camps
D) The process of building a wall around a specific town