AP+Group+4

__Death, Life, Living __
 * Shelby Archuleta **
 * Sammee Bero **

Chapter 7-13

__Level 2 __ 1. Does having family members or others that can be considered family make life worth living?
 * Chapter 18 **

2. When the boys perform Bra Spider or tribal dances at the talent show they relive their past to times that were simpler for them and were able to be a kid; do they gain hope to live a better future?

__Level 3 __ 1. Recall a quote from Ishmael, “I have no family, it is just me. No one will be able to tell stories about my childhood” (Beah 167). Are memories an important aspect of living, do they effect one’s self positively or negatively?

**2.** **Ester guided Ishmael into recovery; did Ester ultimately save Ishmael’s life?**

3. Can a new life within a life begin before an old life ends?

__Level 2 __ 1. Why would something like a dance be able to trigger so much for Ishmael?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Chapter 19 **

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">2. When thinking about Ishmael’s relationships in Freetown, why does a lonely life seem so appealing to him?

__<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level 3 __
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">1. How can stories enlighten people about their current lives and what they’ve done thus far in their lives? Think back to the first story from the Storyteller on page 182 about the man who traveled the world without his heart. **

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">2. When it comes to a general family life and the aspect of a truthful, loyal community, how is the difference between life and living presented?

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">3. With triggered memories of the death and destruction caused by Ishmael, how do you believe that has affected his ability to truly live after rehabilitation and a new family?

__Level 2__ 1. Did relating with kids from other countries facing similar experiences as Ishmael help him in his road to recovery?
 * Chapter 20**

2. On the last night before the kids departed back to their countries they danced and came together at Laura's village. Was being united in a joyous way a way for the kids to take their ease off of the current situations they were facing back in their countries?

__Level 3__
 * 1. How do other cultures perceive life as do kids in America perceive life? Refer back to Ishmael’s conception of New York.**

2. To Ishmael, memories are an important role in life. Why does Ishmael stress to be remembered by someone in the world?

3. Ishmael did not use a previously written speech but rather spoke from his heart. Has Ishmael come to terms with his life to make better for himself?

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Chapter 21** __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level 2 __ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">1. How do wars and the use of child soldiers taint the lives of those involved?

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">2. With mention of secret food stashes and such, where does the line of life – in terms of surviving – supersede the want to live?

__<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level 3 __ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">1. Why is it that when everything seems too good to be true in life, it usually is?

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">2. With the falling sickness and eventual passing of Ishmael’s uncle, does it seem like his body was shutting down for a peaceful ending in the time of war, or was it something put in place to cause greater damage in the family structure?

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**3. Ishmael’s closing statement speaks volumes about his character. Do you believe that he is right in saying this in terms of the theme death, life, and living? Is his conclusion to keep others from having to make the same decision proof that he promotes life and the living? Or does it show that he is heartless for allowing his mother to die?**