The Nazis begin rounding up Jewish people all over Sara's town. Despite the fact that Sara sat next to him for three years in school, she never knew his name and only refers to him as 'Tourteau' throughout the beginning of the story. It means 'crab' in French and it was given to him because his legs had been partially paralyzed by polio as a child and he walks with crutches. The classmates nicknamed him 'Tourteau' as a cruel joke. She has not, herself, teased the boy, but she has stood by and watched. Sara also introduces us to Tourteau, her classmate at school who has always been tormented by bullies. Grandmère explains the incremental ways the Nazis and their French collaborators stripped the rights of Jewish people, oppressed them, and dehumanized them in propaganda. Their innocent game of flying high above the world like a bird is woven throughout the book as the white bird symbolizes the beauty and interconnectedness of humanity. The family enjoyed picnics among the bluebells at the edge of the forest where Sara's father would swing her in the air so she could 'Fly high like a bird'. Her father was a successful surgeon and her mother a mathematician, the first woman professor in the town. Sara Blum had an idyllic childhood with her loving Maman and Papa in a picturesque town in France beside a fairytale forest. Palacio places this profound quote by George Santayana at the start of the Prologue, setting the tone for the reader. 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' Author R.J.

What are some examples of prejudice and injustice in today's world that require 'good people to decide to put an end to it'?.What are some of the messages the author conveys to the reader about kindness and courage? Why is it so important to teach, learn about, and remember the Holocaust?.What are some of the themes, symbols, and motifs present in the novel? How does the symbolism help you better understand the characters and their motivations?.What were some allusions (references to real people, places, events, sports, and art/literature) present in the novel? What can you learn about the time period from these allusions?.Who are the main characters in White Bird and what challenges do they face?.

Essential Questions for White Bird by R.J.

White bird book