After

In moments of crisis in the early parts of the book, Felix repeatedly prays to Richmal Crompton, the British author of young adult books, for insight and miracles, despite his Jewish heritage. Why might Felix have developed this habit, and why does Gleitzman never mention Judaism as a religious faith in the narrative?

Szulk hates Felix and curses him for being Jewish. Since they are “on the same side” in the fight against the Nazis, why does Szulk hate Felix and ultimately try to kill him?

Why do the partisans let Felix go alone into the Polish town among Nazis and Nazi sympathizers and demand that he bring back a gun before he can be part of their group? Do they expect him to succeed or fail? Use examples from the source text to support your opinion.

Why is Felix troubled when Yuli gives him a new, warmer, better-fitting coat and finds him a new pair of glasses? How does she convince him to accept these items?

After discovering the bodies of several partisan fighters he had lived with, why does Felix feel grateful for the opportunity to bury them? When he quotes Gabriek, saying, “Digging helps when you’re sad. It doesn’t make you feel better, but it helps you think” (143), what does this mean?

What does Felix learn about the Hitler Youth after living for several days with Helmut and Axel? If being part of the Hitler Youth actually puts these boys and their families in danger, why did they agree to participate in the organization? What happened to Hitler Youth who were accused of betraying Hitler?

What causes Felix to realize he has broken down the Nazi-Jewish barrier between the two groups of children on his swamp island? What similarities did the seven children share? Why does Axel tell Yuli he will pretend to be Jewish if that helps Felix?

What does Felix learn about the civilian citizens of Germany when he rides with Russian soldiers into Germany after the war ends? What is Felix’s lasting opinion of the Russian soldiers, and why does he feel toward them as he does?