One of the titles featured on our Historical Fiction reading chart is Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli.  In this story, the main character is  a young orphaned boy who goes by the name Misha.  Living on the streets of Warsaw, Poland, a large part of the story has to do with Misha’s struggle with his identity. Upon entering the Jewish ghetto and seeing firsthand the acts of Nazi soldiers, he realizes it’s safest of all to be nobody.

For those that have read, or are reading, Milkweed, here are a few questions to think about:

  • At what point in the novel do you think Misha displays the most fear? What about the most courage?
  • What do you think is the symbolism of the milkweed? How does planting milkweed at the end of his yard preserve his memories of Poland?

Let us know what you thought of this novel overall. What did you like or dislike about it?