Letters from Rifka

What is one possible theme for Letters From Rifka?

• It is better to be pretty than brave and clever.

• You can overcome difficulties if you are clever, brave, and hopeful.

• Being kind doesn't help you overcome difficulties, just thinking about your own needs does.

• Taking risks is dangerous. It is better to play it safe.

Why did Rifka and her family flee from Russia?

• They were very poor and needed new jobs.

• They wanted to be adventurous and sail to America.

• Russian soldiers were coming to take her brothers.

• Rifka had ringworm.

When Rifka distracted the Russian guards as her family hid in train cars, this showed that she was ____________.

• scared

• brave

• educated

• shy

Why was Rifka not allowed passage to America with her family?

• She had typhus.

• The government thought no one would ever marry her.

• She had ringworm.

• She had lost her mother's candlesticks.

When Rifka was finally able to sail to America, what tragic event occurred?

• Rifka lost her Pushkin book in the storm.

• Pieter was swept overboard and died during the storm.

• She was told Mama had died of typhus.

• She had to go below deck because she was Jewish.

Who gave Rifka the Pushkin book that she writes her letters in?

• Cousin Tovah

• Bubbe Ruth

Which phrase best describes Rifka’s relationship with Tovah?

• competitive and jealous

• friendly but distant

• warm and loving

• cold and uncaring

What did Rifka love about Antwerp, Belgium?

• The food! Bananas, chocolate, ice cream....

• The kind people

• The beautiful city

• All of the above

Rifka hated the busy city with rushing cars, people who discriminated against Jewish immigrants, and the man who took all of her money for an orange. Which city was it?

• Antwerp, Belgium

• Warsaw, Poland

• Berdichev, Russia

• New York City, New York

When Rifka wrote to Tovah, she often wrote about wanting to be ______________.

• taller

• clever

• older

• prettier