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Book Club #1 Guided Discussion Questions

1. What do you like about the book so far? What do you dislike?

2. What are you confused about?

3. a. Consider Michael’s life in Nieswiez before Hitler came to power. In what ways were Jews treated well? In what ways were Jews treated badly?

b. Would you say that, before the war, Michael had a good life? Why or why not?

4. We know that Hitler (leader of Germany) was a horrible leader who is responsible for killing 6 million Jews. In what way was Stalin (of Russia/the Soviet Union) also a leader who did horrible things to people? Is he as bad as Hitler?

5. a. The Jews are sometimes criticised for not resisting more and fighting back during WWII. How DID the Jews resist against the Germans (and Soviets)? Consider big and small ways of resisting.

b. Why did the Jews sometimes refrain from resisting?

c. What do you think you would do if you were in Michael’s situation?

6. The Soviets and Germans went to great lengths to control people. Which rule or action surprised you most?

7. a. How did non-Jews both collaborate with the Nazis and resist against the Nazis by helping the Jews?

b. Why might some people have collaborated with the Nazis? Why might others have helped the Jews? What were the risks to both positions?

c. Do you think Kazimierz did the right thing when he encouraged Michael to leave and join the partisans? Why or why not?

8. a. What is a partisan group?

b. Why were some partisan members distrustful of including Michael in the group?

c. Was this justified? If you were a partisan member, would you have allowed Michael to join the group and participate in operations? Why or why not?

9. a. Michael participates in his first military operation and is quite pleased when he learns that 14 Belorussian policemen were killed and 5 policemen were seriously injured. He says this was “a personal victory in avenging the death of my family and my people” (41). Is this an effective way to deal with the loss of your family?

b. If you were in Michael’s position, would you feel the same way? Or, do you think that murdering your enemies makes you no better than they are?

c. What is the problem with “wanting to annihilate the collaborators who had helped murder...loved ones” (47)?

10. The Russians/Soviets in Moscow begin to help the resistance groups. Why might they have done this?

11. The end of the first half of the book is bittersweet. Although Michael is happy that the Germans have been defeated, why is he also sad and angry?

12. What do you predict will happen in the second half of the book?

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