IMPORTANT: Comprehension questions will be in chronological order as you read through the story. Page numbers are approximate, and will vary with different editions of the book.
Section 1: Chapters 1–2
Vocabulary
- admonished: to warn or reprimand firmly; to warn of something to be avoided
- petrified: to be so frightened that one is unable to move
- queried: to ask a question, especially one addressed to an official or organization
- refuge: something that provides shelter; an institution that provides safe accomodation
- retort: to say something in answer to a remark or accusation, typically in a sharp, angry, witty manner
- sentimental: prone to feelings of tenderness, sadness or nostalgia
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- “Not so fast,” admonished Henry. (Ch. 1, pg. 14)
- We were petrified. (Ch. 1, pg. 15)
- “Is that so?” queried Henry as cool as could be. (Ch. pg. 17)
- “The three of us, Joseph, the little one, and myself, we are DP’s, refugees, Jewish refugees.” (Ch. 1, pg. 12)
- “But, as I told you,”retorted Joseph, “I can work.” (Ch. 1, pg. 14)
- (She was very sentimental .) (Ch. 1, pg. 15)
Comprehension Questions
- Janet was 11 years old when “it” happened. (Ch. 1, pg. 11)
- When the children play out the Flight into Egypt, Henry says the children playing Egyptians have to sell things to the refugees. (Ch. 1, pg. 12)
- When Joseph, Mary and the infant arrive in Egypt, Janet says the Egyptians should give them everything they need, bread, meat and diapers. (Ch. 1, pg. 14)
- Henry won’t let Joseph work when he reaches Eygpt because there aren’t enough jobs to go around in the village. (Ch. 1, pg. 14)
- Henry says Joseph is double-crossing the Egyptians because he is pretending to be poor when in fact he is rich. (Ch. 1, pg. 15)
- Janet explains that Mary and Joseph lost all of their belongings because Mary had to hand their treasures over as payment for their journey. (Ch. 1, pg. 17)
- When Sister Gabriel comes across the yard she is mad at the children because they are fighting each other. (Ch. 1, pg. 18)
- The man Sister Gabriel introduces to the children asks the children if they would be willing to hide Jewish children whose parents have died. (Ch. 1, pg. 21)
- Sister Gabriel says that from now on the slogan shall be, “We all eat, or nobody eats.” (Ch. 2, pg. 25)
- During dinner Henry asks Arthur to do a favor for him by finishing off his soup. (Ch. 23, pg. 25)
- After fumbling in his pocket, Arthur hands Henry a small piece of priceless chocolate under the table. (Ch. 2, pg. 27)
- Janet and Henry hide the chocolate under a rock beside the brook. (Ch. 2, pg. 30)
Section 2: Chapter 3
Vocabulary
- abrupt: sudden and unexpected; brief to the point of rudeness; steep
- acquainted: someone you are aware of, familiar with
- hoist: to raise or haul up by means of ropes and pulleys
- ration: a fixed amount of something, generally during a shortage or wartime
- reproachful: expressing disappointment or disapproval
- vehement: showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- There the hill starts to go up abruptly. (Ch. 2, pg. 30)
- There were a few of them sitting at each table so that we all could have a chance of getting acquainted. (Ch. 2, pg. 23)
- Then I hoisted myself through. (Ch. 3, pg. 38)
- “…Mr. Joseph, what about your ration cards?” (Ch. 1, pg. 14)
- “You would spoil our plan, wouldn’t you?” he told Denise reproachfully. (Ch. 3, pg. 38)
- Arthur shook his head vehemently. (Ch. 2, pg. 25)
Comprehension Questions
- Henry decides to let Arthur know where the chocolate is because it was his treasure first. (Ch. 3, pg. 31)
- After looking into the safe Arthur’s face is all pinched because there is nothing there. (Ch. 3, pg. 32)
- Denise needs rescuing because she has fallen through a crack into a cave and cannot get out. (Ch. 3, pg. 33)
- Henry tells Denise that if they rescue her she must return the treasure, the chocolate. (Ch. 3, pg. 34)
- The children think the cave could hold at least 15 people. (Ch. 3, pg. 34)
- Henry decides to share the chocolate with Janet, Arthur and Denise. (Ch. 3, pg. 36)
- Denise promises not to tell anyone about the cave they have discovered (Ch. 3 pg. 36)
- As the children are eating the chocolate, Janet realizes that it was Denise who had been following her and Henry when they hid the chocolate. (Ch. 3, pg. 36)
- Henry, Janet and Arthur are angry with Denise because she is unable to walk, which means Sister Gabriel will probably find out their secret. (Ch. 3, pg. 38)
- Arthur encourages Densie ot try and walk. (Ch. 3. pg. 38)
- When Henry uses the word, “motus” he means to keep quiet, or mum, and to not tell anyone where they have been and what they have found. (Ch. 3, pg. 38
Section 3: Chapter 4
Vocabulary
- bawl: to call out noisily without restraint; to weep or cry noisily
- bellow: to emit a deep loud roar, typically in pain or anger
- crook: the hooked staff of a shepherd; a person who is dishonest or a criminal
- deserted: a place that is empty of people
- fortnight: a period of two weeks
- placid: not easily upset or excited
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- “Shut up!” bawled the young soldier, dropping me like a hot potato. (Ch. 4, pg. 61)
- “You nasty brats,” bellowed the soldier. (Ch. 4, pg. 50)
- We watched the white wings of her headdress getting smaller and smaller on the road, while the large empty basket she carried kept swinging in the crook of her arm. (Ch. 4, pg. 41)
- But the road was deserted, and dusk was falling. (Ch. 4, pg. 50)
- About every fortnight Sister Gabriel went to Dieulefit to get the mail and packages. (Ch. 4, pg. 40)
- “She is good,” approved Henry placidly. (Ch. 4, pg. 44)
Comprehension Questions
- Sister Gabriel has to go into town to the post office to pick up letters and any food parcels that may have arrived (Ch. 4, pg. 40)
- Before she leaves to go to town Sister Gabriel leaves the children thirty slices of bread and thirty apples so they can have a picnic (Ch. 4, pg. 41)
- While playing The Flight into Egypt, Suzzane shrieks, “They’re coming,” because she sees Nazis coming along the road (Ch. 4, pg. 44)
- The Jewish children hide with Arthur in the cave that he, Henry and Janet had found (Ch. 4, pg. 46)
- While the children are waiting for the Nazi soldiers to arrive Janet suggests the children play leapfrog (Ch. 4, pg. 47)
- When one of the Nazi soldiers caresses her cheek Denise abruptly sits on the ground and will not answer his question (Ch. 4, pg. 48)
- Henry is pushed out of the room by one of the soldiers because he won’t answer their questions about where the Jewish children are hiding (ch. 4, pg. 51)
- The Nazi soldiers send the children to bed without any supper because they would not answer the soldiers questions and some began to cry (Ch. 4, pg. 53)
- Henry gets out of the coal shed the Nazi’s locked him in by using his scout knife to cut out a small plank of wood from the door. Reaching through the hole he is able to unlock the door (Ch. 4, pg. 54)
- Janet and Philip bring two loaves of bread and four blankets to the children that are in hiding at the cave (Ch. 4, pgs. 57/58)
- Arthur is near the entrance of the cave when Janet and Philip arrive because he has been keeping watch (Ch. 4, pg. 58)
- As Janet walks to the john a soldier accuses her of spying (Ch. 4, pg. 61)
Section 4: Chapter 5
Vocabulary
- automaton: a moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being
- daze: to make someone unable to think or react properly; to bewilder; stupefy
- deliberate: fully considered, not impulsive; done consciously, intentionally
- impudent: not showing due respect for another person
- peer: to look keenly or with difficulty at someone or something
- sober: serious, sensible, solemn
- venture: a risky or daring journey or undertaking
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- The officer clicked his heels, saluted Sister Gabriel, and recited like an automaton, “I am sorry for the inconvenience…” (Ch. 5, pg. 71)
- Louis was demanding his due, but the Nazi seemed utterly dazed. (Ch. 5, pg. 68)
- Deliberately he took Louis away from Denise and sat him on his lap. (Ch. 5, pg. 67)
- “Those three Jews whose names are Jesus, Mary, Joseph, so they say, the impudent brats, and…” (Ch. 5, pg. 71)
- He narrowed his eyes and peered from George to me, muttering, “Incredible!..” (Ch. 5, pg. 68)
- That sobered us up completely, and we listened attentively to Henry as he went on, “Their leaving this morning like this, it’s a trap, a trick…” (Ch. 5, pg. 64)
- After a while Philip ventured, “Let’s go down and eat.” (Ch. 5, pg. 64)
Comprehension Questions
- The children start dancing on the bed and throwing pillows when they see the Nazis leaving on their bicycles (Ch. 5, pg. 63)
- Henry says that they cannot go to the cave and get the Jewish children because the Nazi leaving is a trick they will come back and watch what the children do (Ch. 5, pg. 64)
- The Nazis bring a box filled with chocolate, candy and oranges to tempt the children into telling where the caves were (Ch. 5, pg. 66)
- Before the soldier will give Louis the “pretty ball,” Louis has to tell if they have Jewish friends (Ch. 5, pg. 67)
- Louis name’s Henry, Janet and the other children in the room as the Jewish boys and girls (Ch. 5, pg. 68)
- The whole room bursts into laughter when Louis shouts that his name is Jesus (Ch. 5, pg. 70)
- As the Nazi soldier leaves he advises Sister Gabriel give the children a taste of German discipline (Ch. 5, pg. 71)
- Sister Gabriel tells the children that the Nazis threw her in jail because she wouldn’t answer their questions (Ch. 5, pg. 72)
- Sister Gabriel wasn’t able to collect any food parcels from the post office and Janet says this is a heavy blow (Ch. 5, pg. 75)
- The sweet miracle that Louis finds under the desk is the box of chocolate, candy and oranges that the Nazis had forgotten to take with them when they left (Ch. 5, pg. 76)