Discussion Questions for Middle School, High School, and College Groups

 

These questions are designed to connect historical events with personal reflection and contemporary relevance while honoring the book's central message that remembrance carries a moral obligation for future generations.

 

1. Uncovering Secrets: For many years, Samuel kept his experiences at Treblinka hidden, only writing them down later in life. Why do you think it might be difficult for survivors of major historical events to speak about what happened? What made him finally want to share his story with his son, Paul?

 

2. Why do you think Samuel and Sabina chose to reveal some parts of their Holocaust experiences while keeping other parts hidden, even from their own children? What are the costs and benefits of silence? What does this teach us about listening to the stories of older generations?

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3. Special Objects as Time Capsules: Samuel stored his hidden manuscript inside his prayer shawl bag. Why do you think people use special objects to protect important memories? What object in your own life would you use to store a message for the future?

 

4. Discovering Family History: Imagine finding out that a family member actually lived through a major event in world history. How did learning about his father's past change the way Paul saw his family and his own identity? Have you ever experienced a discovery that reshaped your understanding of your own family?

 

5. Why is it vital for a memoir of survival to focus on the vibrant life of a community before diving into its destruction?

 

6. Difficult Choices: Throughout the book, we see examples of people making choices under impossible circumstances just to stay alive. What qualities—such as quick thinking, bravery, or adaptability— helped Samuel and Sabina survive while maintaining their humanity? 

 

7. Skills for Survival: Samuel’s trade as a shoemaker saved his life because Nazi guards needed his skills. Sabina also had to prove her usefulness. How does their story show how basic practical skills could become critical tools for survival in extreme circumstances?

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8. Fighting Back: The August 1943 Treblinka uprising showed that prisoners tried to resist even under impossible conditions. How does Samuel’s account challenge common misconceptions about victim passivity during the Holocaust? 

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9. The book presents many forms of courage: armed resistance, daily survival, rebuilding a family, preserving memory, and telling difficult truths. Which forms of courage resonated with you most, and why?

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10. Piecing Together the Past: Paul and Sharon had to work through old notes, fragmented memories, and records to discover the full story. What challenges do historians and family members face when trying to figure out what really happened decades ago?

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11. What surprised you most about Samuel's and Sabina's experiences, and why do you think that part of the story stayed with you?

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12. The Next Generation: Paul had to learn about events that occurred before he was born yet still deeply affected his family. What responsibility do younger generations have when it comes to remembering and sharing the stories of their parents or grandparents?

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13. Keeping History Alive: The book encourages each generation to "be their voice." What does that responsibility look like for young people today, especially as fewer Holocaust survivors are still alive to tell their stories?

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14. Lessons Learned: After reading this book, what is one lesson you believe everyone should remember about standing up against hatred, prejudice, and indifference today?

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15. Despite unimaginable loss, the book is ultimately a story of resilience, love, and renewal. What messages do you think the authors most want readers to carry into today's world?