Island on Bird Street

ISLAND ON BIRD STREET

URI ORLEV

NAME:______

PERIOD:______SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION - CHAPTER 2 (pp. vii-14) 1. Give at least three examples of how life was difficult in Warsaw, Poland during the occupation. (see the introduction)

2. On page ix of the introduction, the narrator reveals that “occupation authorities decided to get rid of the inhabitants of the walled quarter.” Where were they taking these people?

3. German soldiers were not afraid of Jew with weapons. Why?

SECTION 2: CHAPTERS 3, 4 AND 5 (pp. 15-44) 1. Boruch and Father have several plans for escape if they are chosen for transport. In the end, one of the plans worked partially. What was it?

2. Explain what was special about the house at Number 78?

3. On page 30-31, Alex is given several pieces of advice. Explain what advice was given to Alex from Boruch, from his father and from his mother.

4. Alex says there are three Ghettos. How does he describe each one of these? (p. 35)

5. On page 39, Alex says that Boruch had called the Gryns “Galitsiyaners”. What does he mean by this? Do you think he was right to call them this?

SECTION 3: CHAPTERS 6, 7 AND 8 (pp. 45-63) 1. At the end of chapter six, how long has it been since Alex has been in hiding and without his father?

2. How long was Alex supposed to wait for his father to return?

3. How does Alex leave a message for his father whenever he leaves his hiding place?

4. Alex runs into trouble again over food. What happened?

5. How does Alex come up with the idea to get the rope ladder up to the third floor of his future hiding place?

6. Alex helps Martha. Explain how he helps her and why you think he helps her.

SECTION 4: CHAPTERS 9, 10, 11 and 12 (pp. 64-95) 1. In chapter 9, Alex meets Bolek. How and where does Alex meet Bolek? Under what circumstances do they meet?

2. On page 69, Alex lies to Bolek about his father. Why does he do this?

3. What does Bolek know about, but is uncertain he can share with Alex?

4. Bolek gives something to Alex at the end of Chapter 9. What is it and why does he give it to him?

5. Why was Alex’s new hiding place so much better than the cellar?

6 How does Alex solve his ladder problem so that no one sees it hanging down?

7. In chapter 11, we find that If Alex had not moved the night before to his upstairs larder, he would have been captured. Why?

SECTION 5: CHAPTERS 13, 14 AND 15 (pp. 96-119) 1. Who were the men Alex saved? Why is their appearance in the story important?

2. Why does Alex change his mind about joining the uprising? (p. 102)

3. What is significant about the man that Freddy has described to Alex on p. 104?

4. Why does Alex dress the way he does to go and find a doctor? (p. 107-108)

5. Why isn’t Alex afraid of the doorman who is guarding the gate to Dr. Polawski’s office?

6. Who were the Gestapo and what do you think was the fate of the doctor?

SECTION 6: CHAPTERS 16,17 AND 18 (pp. 120-146) 1. Alex sees boys playing football in the park and joins in. Why was this dangerous?

2. Why does Alex look to see what the woman in front of him is buying when he is at the grocery store? (p. 123)

3. Why does Alex think that he can trust the doorman? (p. 125)

4. What is Bolek’s job?

5. How did Bolek offer to help Alex? What was Alex’s reply? What signal did Alex and Bolek agree on if Alex needed help?

6. How do Alex and Stashya decide to communicate? Why does he say that his day in the park with Stashya was the nicest day of his life?

SECTION 7: CHAPTERS 19 AND 20 (pp, 147-162) 1. Bolek comes for Alex. What happens? 2. What happened to Stashya? What is their plan to try and meet up after the war? Do you think they will ever meet again?

3. What “disaster” occurs on p. 156 and how does Alex take care of it?

4. Why does Alex “shiver” when he hears voices below him, on page 158?

5. Why didn’t Alex shout when he figured out that the man below him was his father?

6. Who is the person that is going to help Alex and father escape? What do they do to let this person know that they are ready to leave?