Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary emotion Ahmed experiences upon learning they are going to America, before he remembers Max?
What is the primary emotion Ahmed experiences upon learning they are going to America, before he remembers Max?
- Disappointment and sadness. (correct)
- Relief and gratitude.
- Joy and anticipation.
- Fear and uncertainty.
The detail about the American presidential candidate who wants to ban Muslim immigrants primarily serves to highlight what?
The detail about the American presidential candidate who wants to ban Muslim immigrants primarily serves to highlight what?
- The efficiency of the American immigration system.
- The importance of Reka's role in their immigration process.
- The widespread acceptance of Syrian refugees in America.
- The complexities and potential challenges facing Ahmed and his father. (correct)
Why does Ahmed kick the football against the fence?
Why does Ahmed kick the football against the fence?
- To entertain the other children in the courtyard.
- To practice his football skills.
- To vent his frustration and attempt to break free. (correct)
- To get the attention of the guards.
What does the tree in the courtyard symbolize for Ahmed?
What does the tree in the courtyard symbolize for Ahmed?
How does Ahmed's father's faith influence his perspective on their situation?
How does Ahmed's father's faith influence his perspective on their situation?
What is the significance of the letter from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society?
What is the significance of the letter from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society?
Why does Ahmed initially struggle with the idea of a Jewish organization helping him?
Why does Ahmed initially struggle with the idea of a Jewish organization helping him?
What does Ahmed mean when he says, Baba, I feel it again at the end of the passage?
What does Ahmed mean when he says, Baba, I feel it again at the end of the passage?
How does Max's initial response of Be patient to Ahmed's message affect Ahmed?
How does Max's initial response of Be patient to Ahmed's message affect Ahmed?
What does the phrase weighing their suffering against others' imply about people's behavior?
What does the phrase weighing their suffering against others' imply about people's behavior?
How does Ahmed cope with his confinement in Kiskunhalas?
How does Ahmed cope with his confinement in Kiskunhalas?
What does the detail about the laundry flapping in the breeze outside the barred windows suggest about Ahmed's state of mind?
What does the detail about the laundry flapping in the breeze outside the barred windows suggest about Ahmed's state of mind?
How does Ahmed's memory of Madame Legrand praising his dictée contribute to his feelings about leaving for America?
How does Ahmed's memory of Madame Legrand praising his dictée contribute to his feelings about leaving for America?
What is the primary reason Ahmed's father was hesitant to tell Ahmed about the possibility of going to America?
What is the primary reason Ahmed's father was hesitant to tell Ahmed about the possibility of going to America?
What does Ahmed's father mean when he calls Ahmed 'my soul'?
What does Ahmed's father mean when he calls Ahmed 'my soul'?
How does the author create a sense of time passing while Ahmed and his father are in Kiskunhalas?
How does the author create a sense of time passing while Ahmed and his father are in Kiskunhalas?
What does Ahmed's desire to return to the School of Happiness reveal about his character?
What does Ahmed's desire to return to the School of Happiness reveal about his character?
How does the author use sensory details to convey Ahmed's experience in Kiskunhalas?
How does the author use sensory details to convey Ahmed's experience in Kiskunhalas?
What is the relationship between Ahmed and Max?
What is the relationship between Ahmed and Max?
Why is the setting of Charlottesville, Virginia significant to Ahmed?
Why is the setting of Charlottesville, Virginia significant to Ahmed?
Flashcards
Kiskunhalas
Kiskunhalas
The place where Ahmed and his father were detained.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
The organization that helps Ahmed and his father immigrate to America.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Where Max will be living.
Hope
Hope
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Study Notes
- Time in Kiskunhalas is dragging, families have left; April has become May
Ahmed's Mindset & Correspondence
- Ahmed's father shares Reka's message about a delay in paperwork
- His father expresses it might be better than Greece and says he must have faith in Allah's plan.
- Ahmed's own faith is failing.
- Ahmed questions whether a Jewish organization would want to help a Muslim boy
- He feels people compare his suffering to others
- Ahmed writes to Max that 'It does not work.'
- Max tells Ahmed to be patient, but it makes Ahmed feel more hopeless.
Life in Kiskunhalas
- Ahmed envies the birds and the laundry hanging outside.
- He learns phrases in Hungarian and one of the guards brings him a football.
- Ahmed tries to break the fence with the football, but fails
- The guard takes the ball away and gives it to younger kids.
- He mostly sits beneath the tree and imagines his life back at the School of Happiness.
- Ahmed recalls Madame Legrand praising his dictée and playing football with Oscar and Max.
A Petition Approved
- Ahmed's father excitedly tells him their petition was approved and they are going "To America!"
- The father shows Ahmed a letter from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in Silver Spring, Maryland
- Reka told him earlier that they'd heard about him and were trying to help them
Leaving for America
- America is accepting ten thousand Syrians and there is a candidate for president who wants to ban all Muslim immigrants
- They did not want to say anything until they were sure
- Ahmed wanted to cry that he wouldn't be going back to Belgium or The School of Happiness and would never be a student there again.
- Max would be moving back to America soon
- They are going to Charlottesville, Virginia, three hours south of Washington, D.C.
- Max lives there
- Ahmed feels hopeful again.
- Ahmed recalls the night at sea when they thought they'd never find a shore or a home.
- He tells his father "Baba, I feel it again"
- Ahmed feels hope
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Description
Ahmed is stuck in Kiskunhalas camp, and his mental state is deteriorating. He tries to connect with his friend, Max, but finds no comfort. Ahmed reflects on his past life and tries to build hope for the future.
