1. Ko mentioned that Hideyo intentionally did not pass the written exam to enlist in the military. Do you believe her assessment is accurate? Why or why not?

2. List several ways in which Yoko expresses her appreciation towards Ko.

3. What do you think motivated Yoko to befriend the man with a stutter?

4. What drives Yoko's strong desire to excel academically?

5. How do Yoko and her family feel upon their initial arrival in Japan?

6. Witnessing a great deal of violence and death can often make people insensitive. Do you think Yoko and Ko have become numb to such experiences? Why or why not?

7. Reflect on the hardships faced by Koreans during years of Japanese domination. Does Watkins make any effort to depict Koreans in a sympathetic light?