The World That We Knew Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Children's Art of the Holocaust and our BookBrowse Review of The World That We Knew.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. This novel is both historical fiction and magical realism. How does Alice Hoffman achieve her unique writing style? What details does she use from each genre? What do each add to the emotional content of the story?
2. After reading the novel, re-examine the title. Consider who "we" refers to in relation to the story and to your own life.
3. How do you feel about Ava's relationship with the heron? Has an animal ever affected your spiritual life? Are emotions bound to human experience?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Simon & Schuster. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.