In what ways does Luis’s character challenge the models of toxic masculinity set forth by other male characters in the book? How does his growth represent a different type of manhood? Why is his character an important male figure for Bashkim?

What does Avis’s life story provide her character in the present? How does her past influence her current conflicts? Why do you think the author included so many references to her memories of Sharlene, Rodney, and childhood? In what ways does her traumatic past help her?

Roberta is the character with the least amount of overt personal conflict. However, she does struggle at times. What is Roberta’s largest conflict? How does she deal with it? Does she overcome it? Why is she seemingly less weighed down with conflicts? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a major topic in We Are Called to Rise. Three characters (Luis, Nate, and Baba) all suffer from having been exposed to war or political imprisonment. Outline how each of these characters deal with their PTSD. What are the consequences for each man? Are any of them able to navigate their trauma in order to live a healthier life? How? What might the author be suggesting about how our society deals with PTSD?

In what different ways is the American Dream represented in this book? Are any of the families able to achieve the ideal American Dream, or all they all fated to a failed family life?

Self-control is a struggle for many characters in this book. How do the major characters deal with their emotions and actions? What factors allow some to control their emotions and actions while others do not?

Compare and contrast the two mothers in this novel: Nene and Avis. How do they raise their children similarly and differently? What are their strengths and weaknesses as mothers, and what factors determine their ability to raise children (e.g., their upbringing, their cultures)? 

Immigration is referenced frequently in the book, especially as a significant aspect of Bashkim’s story. What do you think the author’s views on immigration are? Does Laura McBride seem to value the contribution of immigrant families to America, or is she revealing her opposition to their presence in US cities? What evidence best illustrates how she seems to be portraying her attitude towards immigrants?