Describe Elli's life as a child. What are her hopes? Are these similar to those of other children her age? How are Elli and Bubi the same? How are they different?

Describe Elli's relationship with her mother prior to the incarceration. How does it change over the course of the time they are held prisoner? What is different when they emerge?

What is the significance of the yellow Schwinn bicycle? What information does Elli receive from her father about some family jewelry about this same time? Describe how the family comes to be moved to the "ghetto." Describe life in the Ghetto.

Who is Aunt Serena? Aunt Celia? How do Elli and her mother come to spend time with each of these women? What is their fates? Relate the conversation Elli and Bubi have about Elli's plans to find all their missing family members...