Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. It is a larger village, and Mariatu’s family thought it would offer more protection from the rebels. (Chapter 1)

2. Marie told her to tell the rebels she likes what she sees. (Chapter 2)

3. The rebel soldiers cut off her hands. (Chapter 3)

4. She wonders, “What is a president?” (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. Even though Mariatu is disgusted by what she has seen, she still has an instinct of self-preservation that prevents her from willingly allowing the rebels to kill her. (Chapter 2)

2. The game of hide-and-seek brings to mind young children playing an innocent game, but the reality of these children’s situation and what the rebels have done to Mariatu and her family is the opposite of childhood innocence. This relates to the novel’s theme because the civil war has stolen innocence from both Mariatu and the soldiers.

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. To the hospital in Freetown (Chapter 5)

2. Her relatives Mohamed and Ibrahim (Chapter 5)

3. Fatmata (Chapter 6)

4. He makes a joke about arm wrestling. (Chapter 6)