What roles do the dogs play in the narrative? Contrast Freya’s role with Nero’s.

Because the novel is intended for a young audience, the author glosses over the many atrocities that were committed during World War II. What oblique references are made to the German forces’ many crimes, and what tactics does van Stockum use to keep the novel age appropriate while still doing justice to the historical time frame in which the story is set?

Joris notes that his friend Hendrik Schenderhans is “not to be trusted” (30). Evaluate Hendrik’s motives and actions. Is Joris’s assessment of the boy fair? Why or why not?

Consider the antagonist, Leendert Schenderhans. How do his actions contrast with those of others in his community? What factors motivate his malicious behavior?

As Mrs. Groen emphasizes in the final chapter, her hope and faith in God helped her survive the concentration camps. How are the other characters affected by their understanding of religion and faith?

Examine various moments when a character must enact a “wrong” in order to do the “right” thing. What does this dynamic suggest about the true nature of morality?

Although this novel is heralded as a realistic portrayal of the German occupation of Holland during World War II, some critics have judged the characters to be flat and underdeveloped. Compare the Verhagens to the Oostervelds in Johanna Reiss’s The Upstairs Room. Do you agree that van Stockum’s characters are flat? Why or why not?

Throughout the novel, the younger characters illustrate Children’s Ability to Enact Change. Consider the role of children in texts such as Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars and other nonfiction accounts of war. How do the young characters in these books contribute to resistance efforts?