The Whirlwind
on Goodreads (33)
What’s inside...
It is 1941. Fourteen-year-old Ben Friedman flees the horrors of Nazi Germany with his parents and his sister, leaving behind his grandparents, his friends, his home. They make a difficult journey over land and sea all the way to Japan and then to America. In Seattle, Ben dares to hope that he will finally be safe. He finds a friend in John, a Japanese-American boy, but then comes the attack on Pearl Harbor and everything changes. Fear begins to grow in Ben, fear that it is all happening again. Where can he be safe? What should he do? He dreams of Canada, thinking it a haven, only to find that he has nowhere to turn, nowhere to run. Perhaps safety is not where or even what he thinks it is. Perhaps life is not what he imagined at all.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the main character to act the way they did?
How would you feel if you were in the same situation as the protagonist?
What were some of the challenges the characters faced and how did they overcome them?
Can you think of a different ending for the story? What would you change?
What is the most important lesson you learned from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
To foster a deeper connection with the book's themes, parents should consider their child’s responses and feelings about the situations presented in the story. Encourage children to express their ideas and emotions freely. Relate the story’s events to real-life experiences to make the discussion more relatable and meaningful. Highlight the moral or lesson from the book and discuss how it applies to everyday life. This will enhance your child's analytical and empathetic skills, making reading a valuable part of their growth.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of choices
Explanation: In 'The Whirlwind', the protagonist navigates through challenging decisions, illustrating the consequences each choice carries.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think about the outcomes of their actions and become more thoughtful in their decision-making processes.
Example Lesson: Valuing friendship and teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the story often rely on each other to overcome obstacles, promoting the importance of collaboration and support.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to work cooperatively with others and value the strength found in friendships.
Example Lesson: Coping with change and adversity
Explanation: As the characters face sudden and dramatic changes, the story explores various coping mechanisms, emphasizing resilience.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that change is a part of life and equips them with strategies to adapt and thrive during challenging times.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story portrays empathetic bonds between characters from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the strength of understanding others.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to be empathetic towards others, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.