1. What aspects of Yuki's life in Berkeley were unique or noteworthy?

2. The Sakanes often hosted numerous Japanese students at their home. Does this imply that their allegiance to Japan surpassed their loyalty to the U.S.? What could be the reasons for their hospitality towards so many Japanese individuals?

3. Mr. Sakane is not a U.S. citizen and is employed by a Japanese company. Is it reasonable for the U.S. government to worry that he might support Japan's wartime efforts? Is his arrest and imprisonment in Montana justified?

4. Yuki and her family had to relinquish most of their possessions, including their dog, Pepper. They were only allowed to take what they could physically carry to Tanforan. If you were in a situation where you had to evacuate your home with only what you could carry, what would you choose to bring and why?

5. Did you feel upset when Yuki discovered that Pepper had passed away? Why? In reality, Yoshiko Uchida also lost her dog when she was relocated to Tanforan. How do you think she felt about losing her pet? What leads you to that conclusion?

6. After Japan's attack on the U.S., both Italy and Germany declared war on the U.S. During the war, Italian-Americans and German-Americans faced some hostility and discrimination from other Americans but were not interned. Why were Japanese-Americans subjected to such severe treatment?

7. Death is a recurring theme in Journey to Topaz: Yuki's previous lifestyle ends; Mr. Kurihara's heart seems to fail; Pepper dies away from his family; Mr. Kurihara is fatally shot. Those who die in Topaz are buried outside the camp's perimeter, symbolizing that only in death can they escape their confinement. Later, some find ways to leave, like attending college, yet the residents of Topaz seem to dread dying far from home. How do these various deaths impact Yuki? In what ways does she grow by understanding these different types of death? Why should the deaths of internees be considered more tragic than those outside the camps? Why do they fear dying in Topaz more than anywhere else?

8. If your neighbors faced the threat of being rounded up and sent to concentration camps by the government, how would you respond? Would you stay uninvolved, oppose their removal, or accept the government's actions while offering support to your neighbors? Could you take different or additional actions compared to what the Sakanes' friends did? Would the race of those being taken influence your response? What if the internees were not your friends, or if you disliked them? Is it your concern what the government decides for your neighbors or classmates?

9. Some individuals who opposed apologizing to those interned during World War II argue that their hardships were not as severe as those endured by other war victims. They highlighted that Jews, Romani people, Slavs, clergy, homosexuals, and others placed in concentration camps by the Germans faced indescribable horrors. Millions were tortured and murdered. Japan also inflicted brutal conditions and conducted inhumane biological warfare experiments on prisoners. The argument suggests that, in comparison to the vast suffering of World War II, Japanese-Americans on the West Coast experienced relatively better circumstances. They were provided with housing, food, education, and care by the government and were likely shielded from Americans who viewed anyone of Japanese descent as an enemy. How valid is this argument, if at all? Should the internees have felt fortunate that their conditions weren't worse? How do circumstances influence what is considered just or unjust?

10. Journey to Topaz is inspired by Uchida's own experiences. Does this make it a more compelling novel? Knowing that Uchida was actually interned at Topaz, how does this influence your perception of the story?