Discussion Guide

1. What kind of child do you think Illy would have been if Hitler had not persecuted her family?

2. Was Illy a fearful child after she was safe in America? If yes, why? If not, why?

3. How did having an overpowering father complicate her adjustment in America?

4. Illy and her brother Fredi had many of the same life experiences. Why were they so different?

5. Was Alice anything like her mother? If so, how? If not, why not?

6. Do you know anyone among your family or friends that is like Alice’s autocratic father or submissive mother? Explain.

7. Do you think cultural differences had anything to do with the personalities of the characters in the story? Explain.

8. What do you think contributed to making Alice able to challenge her father as a teenager? Explain.

9. What price do you think Alice had to pay for making this challenge?

10. What do you know about panic attacks?