In Our Midst Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

1. Mr. Griffin says, "When people are afraid, they'll hand over their rights as willingly as they'd hand over pennies for bread. But not until they've handed over other people's rights first." What was your reaction to that passage? Can you think of other times in our history that the "systemic repression" Mr. Griffin cites occurred or of systemic oppression occurring now?
2. How would you describe Nina and Otto's relationship as a couple and their relationship with each of their sons at the beginning of the story? How do those relationships change through the course of the story?
3. Otto consciously rejects initiating the process to attain US citizenship. If you're a US citizen, how did that make you feel? If you're an immigrant who has attained citizenship or is in the process of obtaining it, how did you feel about his decision?

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