I Was There
Once/Now/Then/After Series
on Goodreads (210)
What’s inside...
From the winner of the Mildred L. Batchelder Award for Friedrich, comes a story for readers of Number the Stars and If I Should Die Before I Wake. Hans and his friend Gunther are navigating life in Germany with Adolf Hitler's rise to power. Despite Gunther's father's opposition to Hitler, the young boys, at the age of eight, join the SS youth program. As they grow older, they eventually enter the military, becoming deeply embroiled in Hitler's regime.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-13
Length
224 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Narrator
Frau Schneider
Herr Schneider
Narrator'S Mother
Friedrich Schneider
The Narrator'S Father
Herr Resch
Discussion points
How did the story make you feel about friendship and loyalty?
What did you learn about the importance of standing up for what is right?
Why do you think it's important to remember historical events like the ones in the book?
How do the characters in the story demonstrate courage and resilience?
What would you have done if you were in the main character's shoes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before discussing, let your child express their initial thoughts about the story and its characters.
Relate the historical context of the book to current events to make the conversation more relevant and engaging.
Encourage your child to think about the moral choices the characters make, and discuss what they might do in similar situations.
Highlight the value of empathy by discussing how different characters might have felt during the story.
Ask your child to draw parallels between the friendships in the book and their own friendships to deepen their understanding of loyalty and trust.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'I Was There', Hans Peter Richter tells compelling stories that place characters in morally complex situations, encouraging readers to put themselves in others' shoes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by considering others' feelings and viewpoints in real-life conflicts or when interacting with peers who are different from them.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters make choices that have both positive and negative outcomes, demonstrating the cause-and-effect nature of decisions.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that their actions have impacts and teaches them to think about the consequences before acting.
Example Lesson: The value of courage and standing up for what is right
Explanation: Characters in the book often face challenges where they must decide whether to conform or stand up for their beliefs, showcasing acts of bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to stand up against bullying or unfair treatment in their own lives and support others who are in difficult situations.
Example Lesson: The impact of history on personal and collective identity
Explanation: Set during significant historical events, the book provides a backdrop that affects the characters deeply, illustrating history's role in shaping identity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to learn more about their own heritage and history, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
Example Lesson: Developing critical thinking by questioning norms
Explanation: Characters in 'I Was There' often question the status quo, which encourages readers to critically evaluate societal norms and traditions.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in developing independent thinking skills, empowering them to question and understand the world around them.