Ground Zero

How does being a girl in Afghanistan affect Reshmina’s life, in terms of both her day-to-day life and her future? How does she fight against this mold?

Compare and contrast nine-year-old Brandon and 11-year-old Reshmina. How are they similar? How are they different?

How is setting important in each of the storylines? Consider the locations, the time periods, and the fact that each storyline occurs throughout the course of one day.

Brandon and Reshmina face a string of dangerous and difficult situations, yet they both keep going. Why do you think they are able to survive? Where do they draw their strength from?

Pick two symbols or motifs from the novel and explain how they illustrate the effect of the American presence in Afghanistan.

How is the concept of Pashtunwali important in the novel? Describe how different characters use it to make their decisions. Do Taz and the Americans have their own version of Pashtunwali? Explain.

This novel was written and published before the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. How might the story be different if it were written today? How might the characters react to the American withdrawal and Taliban takeover?

This novel is aimed at young readers. Apart from that, why do you think Gratz chooses to show the 9/11 attack through the lens of a nine-year-old? What can he accomplish that would be lost if the main character were an adult? What downsides might there be?