Introduction
Welcome to your novel study webquest. A webquest is an online quest or mission which you work through at your own pace as you read the novel. Your aim is to complete and achieve all the tasks given. The purpose of the webquest is to encourage you to research and think beyond the book so you have a better understanding of the themes and ideas you read about.
You will be practising lots of different reading skills as you work your way through:
W.A.L.T...
- Find and compare information in texts.
- Identify key themes and messages in a story and explain how they are connected to each other.
- Identify and explain key ideas and supporting details in texts.
- Pick up subtle clues in the story and connect them to gain a deeper understanding of events and characters.
- Develop knowledge of more complex vocabulary in the story.
- Share personal responses about the story which show deeper thinking.
'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' is a wonderful book about a young girl's life as she grows up in Nazi Germany around the time of World War 2. Although the subject is quite dark, the character, symbols and the messages given in the story are positive:
Anna is too busy with schoolwork and tobogganing to listen to the talk of Hitler. But one day she
and her brother are rushed out of Germany in alarming secrecy, away from everything they know.
Their father is wanted by the Nazis – dead or alive. This is the start of a huge adventure,
sometimes frightening, very often funny, and always, always exciting.
(The Publisher)
Task
Before Reading Task
- Familiarize yourself with the setting (time and place) of the novel.
This should take 1 1/2 reading lessons (1 for gathering information from the websites and 1/2 for the group discussion).
- Visit the following websites and read about the Holocaust and the second world war
(You can also click on any links on the pages):
http://www.theholocaustexplained.org/ks3/#.UzpC40_NtWA (A superb site and well worth reading!)
http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/holocaust.php (Holocaust)
http://www.pocanticohills.org/amprogress/holocaust.htm (Holocaust)
http://www.bbc.com/newsround/16690175 (Holocaust)
http://facts.randomhistory.com/holocaust-facts.html (Holocaust)
http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/war/ (World War 2)
http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/ (World War 2)
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/children_and_world_war_two.htm (World War 2)
2. Get together with all of your other group members and have a roundtable discussion about what you have read. What is your understanding of the Holocaust? What are your thoughts/beliefs/opinions/worries/concerns? What facts do you have about the second world war? What questions do you have about the war and the Holocaust? What other groups in society/history have been persecuted (singled out and treated badly) like the Jews? Are there people who are still persecuted today? Why do you think this happens in the world? What could stop these things from happening?
Reading Task 1
- Read the first chapter of the novel and answer the following questions in your book (don't forget to leave room for a title page!)
- Describe the settings where this chapter takes place.
- How does Anna know that’s she is Jewish?
- Why doesn’t Elsbeth believe she is a Jew?
- Why might Adolf Hitler stop Rachel Lowebstein?
- Why would the Nazis and Sozis fight each other?
- What reasons can you think of for Papa leaving? Where might he have gone?
- Create a suitable title page if you get finished.
Reading Task 2
- Read chapter 2 and complete the following activities in your book.
1. The novel mentions that the swastika was the symbol of the Nazis. Which of the
following three symbols is a swastika?
A B
C
* Bonus: Research the swastika symbol and find what other connections it has to other groups. Record one example in your book.
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler, who was to rule Germany for more than a decade, is probably the most hated man who ever lived. Who was this man?
Using resources in your school library or on the Internet, research a few basic facts about Hitler`s early life (i.e. where and when he was born; who were his parents; what did he do before going into politics; what were some of his interests and talents?)
Record three fascinating facts from your research.
Personification is giving human qualities to something that is not human. An
example from Chapter 1: "...it (snow) had lain for weeks in sad, greying heaps." In this example
the snow is personified - it is sad, an attribute more often given to a person.
a) Why do you think personification is a literary device used by many authors?
b) Create your own example of personification.
c) Bonus: Keep your eyes open for another example of personification. When you find
one, record it in your book.
Reading Task 3
Before you read the chapters: Every good story usually needs an interesting antagonist ("bad guy"). We already have been given a few hints that an antagonist in this novel might be none another than the notorious Adolf Hitler. Think about some other books you have read which have featured an antagonist that you have really disliked. What characteristics do you think makes for an effective antagonist? Explain.
The protagonist in most novels features the main character or “good guy”. The protagonist of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is a very likeable girl, Anna Kerr, whose life goes through some dramatic changes as the story unfolds. Think back on some of your favorite characters from past novels you have read or movies you’ve seen. What do you think makes for an especially interesting protagonist? Explain.
- Read chapters 3 & 4
1. Why did the Nazis burn down the Reichstag?
2. How long had Pink Rabbit been Anna’s companion?
3. A fortnight is _________ days long.
4. The book that Gunther gave Max was called _________________________.
5. What did Anna decide was necessary in order to grow up to be famous?
6. Why did Mama order the children not to say anything when the man came to
look at their passports? Do you think she was being reasonable? Why or why
not?
7. A mogger turned out ot be the old woman’s _______________.
8. As Chapter Four concludes the author reveals two characteristics about Anna’s
father. What were they?
Alliteration
The author seems to enjoy using
alliteration – a literary device where the author repeats the same sound at the beginning of several words. An example from Chapter Three is "guessing games”.
Using your imagination, create your own examples of alliteration from the following topics. Each example must contain a minimum of three words.
A baseball bat striking a ball
The strumming of a mandolin
Any from your imagination
Reading Task 4
Before you read the chapters: In the coming chapters one of the main characters becomes seriously ill. Describe a time in your life when you (or someone in your family) became very sick. Record your thoughts and feelings.
- Read chapters 5 & 6
Copy the following sets of words and underline the one word in each set that does not belong. Then write a sentence explaining why it does not fit.
1. contented delighted disturbed pleased
2. scrutiny naive examination analysis
3. vague unclear inexact extravagant
4. comply resist withstand oppose
5. complications simplification difficulties aggravation
6. fomentation poultice compress nefarious
7. offer confiscate steal seize
Cloze Call
Copy and complete the following exercise filling in the correct words from the word bank below. Watch your spelling and punctuation!
beard lake illness inn confiscated villages Zwirn Graupe tired Heimpi hotel Vreneli Zurich yodel Jewish spelling influenza hill Hitler funicular printing steamers four Julius
Papa had reserved rooms for his family in the best _______________ in Zurich. The
first thing they decided to do was to look at _______________ from the top of a
_______________. To get there they had to take a _______________ – a lift on
wheels. At one end of the city was an enormous _______________, on which
______________ made their way among the _______________ along the shore.
After all of the activities on their first day Anna found that she was very ___________.
The strange man with the little _______________ told Anna’s family that Anna had
_______________. Although her mother nursed Anna through her _______________,
Anna let her mother know that she thought that _______________ could do a better
job. In all, Anna was sick for _______________ weeks. While she was ill __________
had come to power in Germany and _______________ all of her family`s property.
The newspapers in Germany were not _______________ any more of her father`s
writings. The family had to leave the expensive hotel and move into an __________
owned by Herr ____________. Anna and Max started school, and Anna`s new
teacher was named Herr _________________ who was quite old with poor
_______________. Anna walked to school with her new friend, _____________. In
the singing class the children were taught how to _______________. Onkel
_______________ visited and informed them that the people in Germany had been
burning the books that Anna`s dad had written. Anna`s dad tried to convince Onkel
not to return to Germany but he said he felt safe, that only his grandmother had been
_______________.
Reading Task 5
Before you read the chapters: Do you think it is a good idea for the boys and girls to be separated in the classroom and on the school grounds? Why or why not?
- Read chapters 7 & 8
-Interview at least three other students for their views of this novel so far. (Try to get both positive and negative comments.) Write a brief report putting these views together.
-Write the plural (more than one) of the following nouns from these chapters. Careful – you may wish to consult a dictionary for some of these words.
Singular Nouns:
class caveman foot cartwheel shoe tooth party birthday fish country
-Talk Show
With two or three other students in your reading group, prepare to participate in a television talk show featuring characters from these chapters. Choose an interesting character from the book (it doesn’t necessarily have to be Anna).
Prepare about a half-dozen questions to ask and possible answers. Film the talk show!
Reading Task 6
Before you read the chapters:
Describe how you would be feeling if you were Anna at this point in the story.
- Read chapters 9 & 10
Choose a word from the red list that means the same or nearly the same as the bold
word(s) and write it beside the sentence in your book.
studious neglect defiant intercept insistent hysterical eccentric loathe economize devise
1 She was so cruel to my little brother that before long I really began to despise her.
2 The winger tried his best to interrupt the pass so the opposing player would not get a breakaway.
3 I wish Max was a little more diligent in his studies.
4 I’m sure some clever scientist will one day invent a time machine.
5 The little dog had some rather odd ways about him.
6 Why don’t you try to save money by turning down the heat in your house?
7 Mrs. Johansen was most persistent in making sure the police agreed to come to her cottage.
8 Do you really think she is aware of her complete disregard for her children’s safety?
9 She is a most disobedient little girl.
10 When she saw the snake slither across the classroom floor, Miss. Brothers became
wild with fright.
Homonyms
These chapters includes a number of examples of words that have homonyms –
fair -fare and two – to – too are just two examples. Two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings.
Think of two more examples of homonyms and use each in a sentence showing the meaning of each word quite clearly.
Punctuation
Rewrite the following sentences putting in the correct capitalization and punctuation:
both max and anna wished they could move back to berlin
did adolf hitler rule the german people until the end of world war two
omama brought her dachschund pumpel to visit with anna in zurich
What’s It All About, Anna?
We have already read about some rather unusual topics in our novel: Berlin, Germany,
Adolf Hitler, bigotry, Zurich, Switzerland, dachschunds, yodeling, Jewish people,
censorship, etc. Your task is to choose an interesting topic from the novel, then use the
chart below to create a research organizer. Place the topic in the middle balloon, then in
the connecting balloons choose subtopics which would help you to do a thorough
investigation of the topic. For example: if your main topic is dogs, subtopics might include breeds, diet, lifespan, grooming, etc.
e.g. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/lessons/BreeWelmaker5232002687/Double.GIF
Reading Task 7
Before you read the chapters: Anna experiences some very frightful night fears in Chapter 11. Describe what you think night fears are? Describe a night fear which you (or a friend) have experienced.
- Read chapters 11 & 12
Comprehension (remember to use evidence from the story to show your FULL understanding!)
1. How had Papa learned French?
2. Do you think that Anna’s parents would have been in trouble with the authorities if
they had left their children with no one living in their home to supervise? Defend
your response.
3. Why did Anna’s parent’s expect their children (and themselves) to be better
behaved than anyone else?
4. What did Herr Graupe think was the most beautiful sight in the world?
5. Why wasn’t Papa worried about the price put on his head by the Nazis?
6. Papa made what could have been a fatal mistake when catching the train to Paris.
Describe these events. Do you think the porter’s actions were deliberate as suggested by Max? Why or
why not?
7. What is your personal impression of Grete?
Activity:
The Eiffel Tower, located in Paris, France, is one of the most
recognizable and famous landmarks in the world. It was erected
in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair and named
after its designer, Gustave Eiffel. Using resources in your school
library or on the Internet do some research about this beautiful
structure. Record a brief description (or sketch) on a separate
sheet of paper noting at least four facts about the Eiffel Tower.
Anagrams:
Anagrams
An
anagram is a word that is formed by changing the order of the letters of another word.
For example, the letters in the word
PAN can also form the word NAP. Follow these
directions to form the anagrams:
a) read the clue in the right-hand column.
b) Using the word in the left-hand column move the letters around in any order, but you
must use all the letters.
Each of the words in the left-hand column are found in the first chapter of our novel.
Word Anagram Clue
Paris ? Sets of two
wrong ? Fully developed
spread ? Curtains
room ? Wasteland often overgrown with heath
coins ? _____ boom!
wrote ? Tall, narrow building
Reading Task 8
Before You Read: Creative chapter titles can really add to a good story. Unfortunately Judith Kerr does not
provide titles for the chapters of this novel. After you have read these two chapters return
to this question and create titles for these chapters which reflect the contents.
13. _____________________________________________
14. _____________________________________________
- Read chapters 13 & 14
A Letter Home
Imagine Anna (or Max) decides to write a letter to a friend who still
lives in Berlin. Anna (or Max) finds that writing such a letter is a good
way to get things off one’s chest and help to help understand what is
going on in one’s life. Use your imagination to put yourself in Anna or
Max’s place and then create such a letter letting your friend know
something of your experiences since he/she last saw you. Use your
imagination to describe what has happened in your life during the past
few months, mentioning some of the more memorable incidents. Your letter should be at
least a half-page in length and follow the proper format of a friendly letter.
Reading Task 9
Before You Read: Chapter Fourteen ends as something of a cliffhanger, doesn’t it (A cliffhanger is a suspenseful situation happening at the end of a chapter.) Predict how you think Anna will manage in her new school.
- Read chapters 15 & 16
Vocabulary
Write a sentence using the following words. Make sure that the meaning of the word is clear in your sentence.
tirade –
supplement –
mournful –
unison –
incomprehensible –
embark -
supervision-
expeditions-
relapse -
perilous -
Collector’s Cards
Sports Cards have been a very popular collector’s item for a number of years. A Willie Mays 1952 Topps rookie card is worth $3000.00 today.Wouldn’t it be great if a series of collectors cards were issued celebrating some of the great landmarks of Europe (like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe)?
Design a card for a landmark of your choice. In addition to the above two examples, other possibilities might include Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London (England), the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Milan Cathedral (Italy), Berliner Fernschturm (Germany) or another landmark approved by your teacher. The front should feature a colored picture of the landmark, and the back should include at least four interesting facts about it i.e. appearance, history, size, architect, etc.
Reading Task 10
Before You Read: We have met some very interesting characters to this point in the story. Which of the people have you found the most interesting – and why?
- Read chapters 17 & 18
Comprehension (answer FULLY using EVIDENCE):
Why wouldn’t Madame Fernand let Mama help her to sew things?
2. What put Max in a much better mood when they went to visit the Fernands?
3. What was worrying Papa about this time?
4. Why was the family glad to see Grete return to Austria?
5. Describe how Anna and her friends celebrated the fourteenth of July.
6. How did it feel for Anna to return to Zurich for a visit with the Zwirns?
Reading Task 11
Before You Read:
In Chapter 19 Anna becomes very discouraged with her lack of progress in learning French. Discouragement is always a very difficult experience for a person to endure.Think back on times in your life when you have faced discouragement. What did you find to be a good way to overcome such feelings? (You may wish to discuss this question with a group member or two before responding.)
- Read chapters 19 & 20
Vocabulary
Choose a word from the list to complete each sentence. Copy and complete the WHOLE sentence in your book.
contemptuous overwhelm persisted fluent animated intervals ferocity accumulated incessantly eloquent
1. Uncle Jacob attacked the steak with such ____________ that it startled all the
guests.
2. Jamie is quite _____________ in both French and German.
3. In order to be a successful politician, it is an asset if the person is an
_______________ public speaker.
4. You will find that Sylvia’s mother is very ________________ of anyone who
doesn’t enjoy a good laugh.
5. The captain of the football team _______________ in his efforts until he scored a
touchdown.
6. Grandma Perkins talks ________________ whenever she is nervous.
7. The alarm will sound at fifteen minute ______________.
8. Jessica grew very ________________ when it appeared that no one believed her
story.
9. The responsibilities of such an important job began to ______________ Prime
Minister Hopkins.
10. My next door neighbor ________________ so many newspapers that they
became a fire hazard.
Reading Task 12
Before You Read: Many of the issues in this novel are resolved in the coming chapters. Predict how you think the novel will end.
- Read chapters 21 & 22
Comparing Two Characters from the Novel
Using a Venn Diagram, compare Anna with one other character from the novel. Be sure to include physical traits as well as personality traits. Remember that any characteristics these two people share should be placed in the middle of the two circles. Click here to see what a Venn diagram looks like: http://arb.nzcer.org.nz/strategies/venn.php
Reading Task 13
Before You Read: Which event in the novel did you enjoy the most? Why?
- Read chapters 23 & 24
The climax of a story usually occurs at the most exciting or important point of the plot.
1. Where do you think the climax of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit occurs?
2. Describe the details of the upsetting news that Herr Rosenfeld brought to Papa.
3. The note that Julius sent to Papa simply said , ____________________
4. What exciting news came in the mail for Papa from England?
5. What was Anna’s first impression of England and English people?
6. Why was it important for Anna to consider whether she had a difficult
childhood?
7. Did you think the ending was effective? Why or why not?
Now Go to the Evaluation Page...
Process
Skip Me!
Evaluation
Choose any 1 of the activities below. Try to show what you think of the novel and the issues involved. Try to justify your thoughts, opinions and ideas:
- Collage
Make a collage from magazine pictures illustrating a scene from the novel, or events and characters from the entire novel.
- A Book Review
Now is your chance to share the novel with others. Write a review of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit describing in no more than one paragraph an outline of the plot, and then in another paragraph how you enjoyed the novel (or didn’t) and why. (Please don’t give away the ending!) This review can be posted to a website like www.amazon.com for others to enjoy.
-
Lights, Camera, Action!
Suppose Hollywood decided to make When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit into a full-length feature movie. Who would star in this exciting project? Now suppose you were asked to be the casting director for this movie. Who would you cast for the principal roles?Anna – Max - Mama – Papa – Madame Fernand - The red-headed boy – Great-Aunt Sarah – Omama -- Vreneli – Colette-
You may wish to choose Hollywood actors for this task, or for some fun, limit your choices to people in your school (teachers and students). Beside each selection write a brief explanation for your choice to demonstrate your understanding of the character.
- Artwork!
Create a "symbol chart" as a piece of art work (paint/pastel/clay/material/chalk/ICT etc) with all the symbols you have identified from the story. Think about how your art work could show their meaning...
- Activity of your Choice
You must justify to your teacher your reasons for choosing the activity. The activity must show you have read the book thoroughly and understood the main characters, events, ideas and issues as well as some of the 'hidden ones'!
Conclusion
Personal Responses:
Get together with the rest of your reading group (and perhaps your teacher) and discuss your thoughts on the novel e.g.
What did you likke/dislike and why? What are the main issues explored in the novel? What can you say about the main characters? What messages does the author convey in the book? What have you learned? What's your opinion of this book? Who would you recommend it to? How would you improve it?