"Surviving Hitler"

What words did Jack never forget? Who said them? Why do you think these words left such an impression on Jack?

"You are my eldest son. I am counting on you to take care of the family." - Jack's dad. Perhaps because it is such a huge responsibility.

What was Jack's new "name"?

16013

In chapter 12, "Liberation", what year is it?

1945

What did Jack always keep with him in hopes of escaping capture?

A letter from the electrician saying he worked for a Nazi.

Who is the author?

Andrea Warren

Where is Jack at the beginning of chapter 5?

Blechhammer Concentration Camp in Germany

What disease did Jack end up contracting?

Dysentery

Describe Jack's lifestyle in Poland (early years)

Easy. Carefree. He lived comfortably with a loving mom and dad.

How is a concentration camp like a game?

Fight to the finish. Make smart moves. Consequences of mistakes are fatal.

What was Jack's life like at his uncle's?

Food was rationed, and there was no running water. The home was not clean. It was infested with lice.

In what ways was Jack's new camp worse than the other?

Group beds, no showers, more disease, use food cup for toilet at night.

What happened to Jack in 1952?

He became an American Citizen.

Why does Aaron refuse to feel sorry for other prisoners?

He believes if you let yourself feel emotion in the camp, you will die.

Why didn't Jack talk to his family about his experiences for 30 years?

He didn't want to burden them.

In what ways does Aaron help Jack on his first day?

He gives advice. He gives him a biscuit and provides companionship in a lonely situation.

How did the kapo help Jack survive after he returned to his barracks?

He got him an indoor job so he didn't have to march. This break allowed him time to heal.

Describe Jack's first day of work at the camp.

He marched 3 miles. He worked all day pulling out stumps with no food, water or breaks

What was Jack's initial reaction to the war? Why?

He thought it was cool, because he didn't have to go to school.

Describe Grandpa.

He was a devout Jew. He had a long white beard. He was recently remarried. He was an artist.

What happened to his uncle's friend that help him get supplies for his business?

He was hanged.

What happened to Jack's father?

He was in the Stutthof concentration camp.

What was Jack's fear?

He would starve or become too weak to work.

What sad question did Jack contemplate at the end of chapter 13?

If he had known that when he got out he wouldn't have much family left, would he have fought so hard to stay alive?

What perspective does Jack no longer believe and why does his perception change?

Jack no longer believes that he will survive. He has witnessed too much death and found out rumors about Nazi's killing tactics were true.

Besides the fence and the guards, what kept prisoners from trying to escape?

Knowing they had nowhere to go. Knowing even if they did escape others would be killed in their place.

Why did Jack go to work at age twelve?

Many well-to-do people didn't want to work, so they paid others to take their place. Jack wanted to collect the money to help out his family.

What happened on September 1, 1939?

Nazis invaded Poland

Was Jack scared to be on the train? How do you know?

No, he enjoyed the scenery with his brother and thought it was like a vacation.

Jack thought of himself as ________________ not Jewish.

Polish

What happened to Moniek?

The Hungarian from the last camp assembled a group to beat him up.

Where did Jack relocate to?

The United States - specifically Kansas City

Why didn't Jack want a shot?

The doctor was using the shots to kill the sick prisoners.

Jack notices several things that are different on the march and at the new camp. List a few of them.

The guards are hungry. The guards don't seem to know what is going on. There is no work to be done. There is overcrowding, and less food.

What happened to Jack's parents, sister, and brother?

They died.

Instead of staying at the camp to wait for "liberation", what did Jack and Moniek do?

They took off down the road to free themselves.

How did the Nazis eliminate evidence that someone existed?

They used crematoriums to dispose of the bodies.

How were kapos chosen?

They were former German prisoners prior to the war.

Why does Jack speak out now?

To make a difference. To create a memorial for his family. To share the news for others who cannot.

When Jack arrived back at his family's home in Poland, what did he find?

Unfriendly strangers. All of his family's belongings had been looted by townspeople and the Nazis.

What does Jack suggest should be the goal of all humans?

Work together to recognize evil and stop it.

What were the Jews forced to wear? What happened if they were caught not wearing it?

Yellow Star of David. They were shot.

What did Jack and Moniek steal?

butter and marmalade

What job did Jack and Moniek land?

cooks

How much did Jack weigh?

less than 100 pounds

What did Jack get in trouble for?

loaning out his meal ticket

In Hitler's eyes, Jews were a _____________ not a religion.

race

What did Jack say was a part of daily life?

rumors

What type of work did Jack do?

shovel snow, dig cisterns, build roads, haul bricks, crush rocks

Why did the Nazis give out numbers?

to dehumanize the Jews

What is the author's purpose in writing this book?

to inform; to help recognize and stop acts of discrimination

What were Moniek and Jack's main objectives?

to regain their health and find their families

What was the worst moment of Jack's life?

when he was separated from his mother and brother

How did Jack manage to escape the worst wrath of kapos and guards?

worked hard and didn't complain