2. Yudel Krinsky begins to work in a store that sells what type of merchandise?
(a) Stationery.
(b) Jewelry.
(c) Kosher baked goods.
(d) Clothing.

3. Asher sees strong similarities between the face of the mashpia and the face of which other character?
(a) Aryeh.
(b) Yudel Krinsky.
(c) Jacob Kahn.
(d) The Rebbe.

4. In Chapter 2, Aryeh becomes ill with what disease?
(a) Arthritis.
(b) The flu.
(c) Bronchitis.
(d) Cancer.

5. Jacob Kahn speaks with a slight accent from which country?
(a) Austria.
(b) England.
(c) Russia.
(d) South Africa.

Short Answer Questions

1. Yudel Krinsky describes which place as "a city of cafes and waltzes"?

2. In the first paragraph of Chapter 3, Aryeh announces the death of which world leader?

3. Where does Asher go after school when Aryeh is out of town?

4. What is the dessert Asher wants the housekeeper to make?

5. In Chapter 3, Aryeh and Rivkeh begin to make plans to move to which European city?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the class's and the teacher's reactions to Asher's drawing in a Chumash. Why do you think they react in this way?

2. How does Aryeh react to the Rebbe's decision to allow Asher to study under Jacob Kahn?

3. In Chapter 6 as Rivkeh and Asher adjust to life on their own, Rivkeh begins to talk about her grief over Yaakov's death. Which people in her life died prematurely, and how did she feel when that happened?

4. The scene when Asher meets Yudel Krinsky for the first time becomes a very important subject for Asher's art. What is Yudel Krinsky doing at the moment of meeting Asher? How does he act?

5. Where does the Lev family spend their summers? What do they do there?

6. When talking with Asher about Vienna, what does Yudel Krinsky imply when he quotes, "honor your father and mother"?

7. What happened to Yudel Krinsky in Russia? Describe some of his life before coming to the United States.

8. In Chapter 6, Rivkeh takes Asher to the Parkway Museum (also called the Brooklyn Museum). Describe their experience there.

9. What does Asher know about his paternal grandfather?

10. Describe Asher's mythic ancestor.

(see the answer keys)

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