Refugee Review

What is the correct definition for a refugee?

• Someone who has been displaced by a hurricane or other natural disaster.

• A person who has a war going on in their country which causes them to leave.

• Someone trying to escape for religious persecution.

• All of the answers define what a refugee is.

Mahmoud's father, Youssef, was known to be humorous and optimistic. Which event ended up breaking his spirit?

• Being beaten and detained by Hungarian guards

• The taxi driver robbing them

• Moving on and leaving Hana behind

• The dinghy crashing into rocks and throwing everyone overboard

Why was Josef's father described as "dead to his family" on page 222 even though he was still alive? Pick the TWO correct answers:

• Josef's father will never be the same person he was before his time in a concentration camp.

• It is unlikely that he will ever see his father again as the MS St. Louis leaves Cuba to return to Europe

• Josef never felt close to his father, so leaving him behind in Cuba doesn't feel like much of a loss.

• His father is severely ill and will die soon.

A quote from page 46 states, "She held out her trumpet. Isabel regretted that its brass was a little tarnished, but it was the most valuable thing she owned. The fisherman had to take it in trade."

In the quote above, TARNISHED most closely means...

• Something discolored and worn

• Something bright

• Something muddy or dirty

• Something polished and shiny

Who saved Josef’s father?

• Mariano Padron

• Captain Schroeder

• Otto Schiendick

• Ruthie with her amazing swimming skills

Which country do Josef and his family return to in Europe?

• England

• Holland

• France

• Belgium

At the beginning of Josef's story, when he is on the train to Hamburg, Germany, he is caught not wearing his Star of David armband. Why does the Hitler Youth boy show compassion and NOT turn Josef in?

• He will need a favor from Josef later in the story

• He knows if he turns Josef in, Josef will be severely punished.

• He knew Josef already and used to be friends with him.

• He wants to punish Josef himself after they get off of the train.

By the end of the book, Josef can best be characterized as selfless and caring because he...

• Helps his mother survive the concentration camps.

• is now 13 and feels like a grown-up man.

• Chooses to be sent to a concentration camp with his mother so Ruthie can be free.

• spends the rest of his life helping other refugees, like Mahmoud and his family.

What was the main conflict between Lito and Papi (Isabel's father)?

• Lito was upset that Isabel traded her trumpet for gasoline while Papi was happy and grateful for Isabel's sacrifice

• Lito wanted to stay in Cuba and wait for things to get better while Papi wanted to leave Cuba in order to be free

• Lito did not appreciate the way Isabel's father treated his family

• Lito loved Fidel Castro and Papi thought of him as a dictator

The author constantly mentions how Adolf Hitler, Fidel Castro, and Bashar Al-Assad all display images of themselves all over their respective countries. Why do these leaders do this?

• They have a lot of money to spend on portraits of themselves

• They have banned all other public artwork and only find images of themselves as acceptable to display

• They enjoy seeing pictures of themselves everywhere they turn

• They want to be seen as powerful and always watching over their citizens