Ground Zero Chapter 1

Open Ended

What do you know about 9/11 before reading this novel?

Open Ended

What do you know about Afghanistan before reading this novel?

Brandon
How We Survive

Open Ended

We get to know characters through their words, thoughts, actions, appearance and what others say about them. What do you know about Brandon Chavez so far?

Open Ended

How was the businessman's comment on the escalator ironic?

Reshmina
Right Here, Right Now

Open Ended

How do these Afghan kids resemble Pasoon and Reshmina?

Open Ended

How do these Afghan kids differ from Pasoon and Reshmina?

Open Ended

How are Brandon and Reshmina alike?

Brandon and Reshmina are alike in that they both have lost a close family member. Both are independent, outspoken, and willing to question the way things are done.

Open Ended

What is the setting for each story?

September 2019
Rural Afghanistan

Reshmina

September 11, 2011
World Trade Center
New York City, NY

Brandon

Open Ended

Each storyline mentions a toy claw. Why are they important?

Brandon's friend's Wolverine Claw is what got him suspended. He hit a boy to stop him from taking the toy. That is why he ended up at the WTC that day because he had to go to work with his dad. Reshmina's claw is nothing more than sticks she holds between her fingers. She scratches her brother with them to get revenge. It connects them in play, like when they were little.

Open Ended

A theme of the novel is the value of teamwork. How do the two kids struggle with their team?

Brandon feels like he let down the team- he and his dad- by getting suspended. He had shut out his dad. His dad reminds him that they rely on their teamwork to survive.

Reshmina feels like her team- she and her twin brother- is starting to come apart. He wants to join the Taliban and treat her according to strict gender roles instead of the equality they shared when they were younger.