Study guide for Candy Bombers
Book 1 in The Wall, by Robert Elmer
Covering history, geography, math and language arts concepts
Chapter 1: Berlin, Germany
The story begins in the summer of 1948. How long had it been since the end of World War II? Why do you think getting a Hershey Bar was such a big deal for Erich, one of the main characters in this story?
Find a map of Berlin from that time, and look at the “sectors.” Which countries still had soldiers in Berlin?
In 1948, a larger country called the Soviet Union was made up of many other countries in Asia. On your map, name at least three countries that used to belong to the Soviet Union.
Chapter 2: Good Excuse
Who were the “rubblewomen,” and what did they do? Why didn’t they just find another job?
Chapter 3: Erich Becker’s Private War
According to Erich, whose fault was it that his father had been killed? Do you agree?
Chapter 4: Under the Fence
Both Erich and Katarina wanted to help Oma Poldi. Why did they disagree, and who do
you think was right?
Chapter 5: Cornered
Why did Erich change his mind about stealing food? Why did he still get in trouble?
Chapter 6: The Deal
The pilot said they flew 170 miles an hour. How would you figure out how many miles they flew in one minute? How far could they fly in a minute? He also said they had to fly three minutes in front of the next airplane, and three minutes behind the last one. Knowing how far they travel in a minute, how would you figure out how far away that was? How far apart are the airplanes?
Chapter 7: The Story
Why did Erich hit the American when he woke up?
Chapter 8: Just an Accident
How did Erich and Katarina feel when they saw the kids on the other side of the fence? Have you ever thought some of the same things about what you have, and what you have to eat? What would you have done, if you were them?
Chapter 9: First Meeting
The story about the gum drops is true, except in real life it wasn’t Erich and Katarina who started dropping candy on the city. Who did, and why?
Chapter 10: Head-to-Head
Who were the “Watchers” and what did they do? Did Oma believe in “turning the other cheek”? What made her change her mind? Do you think she was right to feel this way?
Chapter 11: Luther’s Key
Oma compared her daughter-in-law to a person written about in the Bible. Who? And why?
Chapter 12: Emergency Call
What did the lieutenant use to illustrate what the Cold War was all about?
Chapter 13: Helmut Weiss, Churchmouse
What really happened to Erich’s father? What did that do to all of Erich’s ideas about how terrible the Americans were?
Chapter 14: Border Standoff
Who was the man they called “The Shark”? Why did he want to talk to them so badly?
Chapter 15: The Announcement
What did DeWitt’s commanding officer think of the American marrying a German woman?
Chapter 16: Last Good-Bye
Who was Wolfgang really working for? Why do you think he would do that?
Chapter 17: Come Alone
What did the Russian think of their candy drops? What’s another word for “subversive?” What did he think Sergeant DeWitt’s real job was?
Chapter 18: Celebration
Erich and his family attend the missionskirche, or mission church. What is different about this church, compared to other churches in Germany? Look up in an encyclopedia or on the Internet to find out what’s the largest church denomination in Germany. What makes it different from churches in America?
Notes on “How it Really Happened”
List at least five things you did not know before you read this book, but you know now.
Study guide Answer Key for Candy Bombers
Book 1 in The Wall, by Robert Elmer
Covering history, geography, math and language arts concepts
Chapter 1: Berlin, Germany
The story begins in the summer of 1948. How long had it been since the end of World War II? (Three years.) Why do you think getting a Hershey Bar was such a big deal for Erich, one of the main characters in this story? (Berlin was still occupied by foreign troops, much of the city had been destroyed during the war, and it was still not built back up, so people still didn’t have much money to buy food.)
Find a map of Berlin from that time, and look at the “sectors.” Which countries still had soldiers in Berlin? (The United States, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union.)
In 1948, a larger country called the Soviet Union was made up of many other countries in Asia. On your map, name at least three countries that used to belong to the Soviet Union. (Russia, Ukraine, etc.)
Chapter 2: Good Excuse
Who were the “rubblewomen,” and what did they do? (Women who worked at clearing rubble from bombed-out buildings.) Why didn’t they just find another job? (In many cases there were no other jobs. The economy was not yet back to normal, even after three years. Emphasize the severity of the destruction of war.)
Chapter 3: Erich Becker’s Private War
According to Erich, whose fault was it that his father had been killed? (Erich felt the Americans were to blame, since they dropped the bombs on civilian targets.) Do you agree? (Students can discuss their opinions at this point.) Name three things that would have made Erich bitter about life. (Possible answers from page 27: The death of his father. The bombs. The way his mother had aged. The hardship of rebuilding their city. The lack of food. The division of Berlin. Perhaps what he saw as unanswered prayer.)
Chapter 4: Under the Fence
Both Erich and Katarina wanted to help Oma Poldi. Why did they disagree, and who do you think was right? (Answers will vary, but Erich took a more pragmatic approach. He was willing to break nearly any rule if he could just get something else to eat. Katarina wasn’t so sure.)
Chapter 5: Cornered
Why did Erich change his mind about stealing food? (He thought of his father’s example and his conscience kicked in.) Why did he still get in trouble? (He’d placed himself in a dangerous position. Talk about how sin has consequences, even if we just “entertain” it.)
Chapter 6: The Deal
The pilot said they flew 170 miles an hour. How would you figure out how many miles they flew in one minute? (Divide 170 by 60.) How far could they fly in a minute? (2.8 miles) He also said they had to fly three minutes in front of the next airplane, and three minutes behind the last one. Knowing how far they travel in a minute, how would you figure out how far away that was? (Multiply three minutes by 2.8 miles) How far apart are the airplanes? (8.5 miles) Adjust the complexity of this question to the math skill level of your students.
Chapter 7: The Story
Why did Erich hit the American when he woke up? (Bad memories from the war, a lingering sense of having to fight for his life and that of his family.)
Chapter 8: Just an Accident
How did Erich and Katarina feel when they saw the kids on the other side of the fence? (Guilty about having food, since they themselves were recently hungry.) Have you ever thought some of the same things about what you have, and what you have to eat? (Discuss responses.) What would you have done, if you were them? (Again discuss responses; attitudes will vary.)
Chapter 9: First Meeting
The story about the gum drops is true, except in real life it wasn’t Erich and Katarina who started dropping candy on the city. Who did, and why? (To find the answers, google “The Candy Bomber” – make sure it’s in quotation marks. The pilot’s name was Lt. Gail Halvorsen, and he wanted to do something extra for the children of Berlin.)
Chapter 10: Head-to-Head
Who were the “Watchers” and what did they do? (Informants who wanted for unusual activity and reported to the Soviets.) Did Oma believe in “turning the other cheek”? (Generally yes.) What made her change her mind? (Hearing that her daughter-in-law was insulted.) Do you think she was right to feel this way? (Discuss answers.)
Chapter 11: Luther’s Key
Oma compared her daughter-in-law to a person written about in the Bible. Who? (Ruth) And why? (Because Erich’s mother stayed faithfully by her mother-in-law, even after her husband died.)
Chapter 12: Emergency Call
What did the lieutenant use to illustrate what the Cold War was all about? (The airlifts, how the Americans and British were flying in food while the Soviets wouldn’t let them.)
Chapter 13: Helmut Weiss, Churchmouse
What really happened to Erich’s father? (Taken by the Gestapo for preaching against the Nazis.) What did that do to all of Erich’s ideas about how terrible the Americans were? (Answers may vary, but he has to question his hatred.)
Chapter 14: Border Standoff
Who was the man they called “The Shark”? (Soviet agent) Why did he want to talk to them so badly? (Thought they were involved as spies, being used by Americans.)
Chapter 15: The Announcement
What did DeWitt’s commanding officer think of the American marrying a German woman? (He did not approve.)
Chapter 16: Last Good-Bye
Who was Wolfgang really working for? (The Soviets) Why do you think he would do that? (Answers will vary. Security, being caught up in something, etc.)
Chapter 17: Come Alone
What did the Russian think of their candy drops? (Thought they were “subversive,” meant to cause trouble.) What’s another word for “subversive?” (Dangerous, making trouble, etc.) What did he think Sergeant DeWitt’s real job was? (Spy)
Chapter 18: Celebration
Erich and his family attend the missionskirche, or mission church. What is different about this church, compared to other churches in Germany? (It’s smaller, meets in a storefront rather than a regular church building.) Look up in an encyclopedia or on the Internet to find out what’s the largest church denomination in Germany. What makes it different from churches in America? (Lutheran, but it’s sponsored by the federal government – a state church.)
Notes on “How it Really Happened”
List at least five things you did not know before you read this book, but you know now.
Study guide for Beetle Bunker
Book 2 in The Wall series by Robert Elmer
Covering history, geography, math and language arts concepts
Prologue
This story begins in April of 1955. Two things to notice, here. One, people with polio were kept in hospitals. Do people still get polio? Why or why not?
And two, how would you describe the nurse’s reaction to Sabine’s (and her mother’s) faith? Try to find out more about the government of East Germany. Do you think the nurse’s attitude would have been common back then?
Chapter 1: Berlin, Germany
Who was the neighborhood “spy,” and why did he spy on his neighbors? What did his actions say about the government he worked for?
Chapter 2: The Bunker
What did Sabine find in the bunker? Look up the history of the Volkswagen and guess when it might have been built.
Chapter 3: Escaping the Goatee
Sabine wanted to listen to a radio station that played Frank Sinatra. How would she find such a station, if she lived in East Germany? Find a map of Berlin in 1961 and guess where such a station might be located.
Chapter 4: The Right Thing
What did “FDJ” stand for, in German? What can you gather about the organization, and why would Sabine not want to join it? Compare that to her mother’s choice to join the Communist Party. Was her mother right?
Chapter 5: Barbed-wire Sunday
What happened on August 13, 1961 that’s so important in history? Now find a map of Berlin, and measure its size from side to side. How many miles of wall went up overnight? Convert that to kilometers.
Chapter 6: Oma Poldi Becker
Why did Sabine begin to panic in chapter 6? What set it off? Have you ever remembered long-ago memories because of a scent? If so, why do you think a scent can do that?
Chapter 7: The View from Willi’s Place
Sabine mentions books by Corrie ten Boom and Anne Frank. These are real books. Look up those books and put them on your “to read” list.
Chapter 8: The Idea
What do you think of Sabine and Willi’s protest? Would you have done the same thing? Why or why not? Is it okay to make your feelings known, even if it’s dangerous or unpopular?
Chapter 9: Visit from the Stasi
What is a strike? Why do you think people in the shops would not listen to Sabine?
Chapter 10: An Unexpected Friend
As Sabine’s Oma lay in the hospital bed, she tried to tell Sabine she was sorry for something. Sadly, Sabine didn’t understand. Was it too late for Oma to apologize? What does this tell us about putting off saying you’re sorry?
Chapter 11: Trusting Greta
At the end of the chapter, Sabine has second thoughts about what they’d been doing. Have you ever had that kind of doubt? What are some of the ways she could have responded?
Chapter 12: Tunnel Fellowship
What was the dog’s name? After whom was the dog named?
Chapter 13: Sighted
Willi quotes a Bible verse – which one? How does it apply to their situation?
Chapter 14: Panic Attack
What are Sabine and Willi arguing about in this chapter? Do you agree with Willi, or Sabine, and why?
Chapter 15: Homecoming
Why were all the interns from the hospital working together on such a dangerous project? What made them want to risk everything? Was it worth it? Explain your opinion.
Chapter 16: Our Father
At the funeral, Sabine thinks of an Old Testament story. Which one? What does it have to do with her family?
Chapter 17: Buried Alive
How would Willi and Sabine have known where to tunnel, and how far? Why did the tunnel collapse, and what does that say about how dangerous it was? What could have happened?
Chapter 18: Last Chance
What did Willi’s gift really mean? Why do you think he gave it to Sabine?
Chapter 19: The Calling
What was Erich’s agreement with his uncle? Why did he do such a thing?
Epilogue:
How many people were killed trying to escape East Germany? Why do you think they would have risked their lives for freedom? How does Pastor Mendt’s quote apply to this story?
Study guide ANSWER KEY for Beetle Bunker
Book 2 in The Wall series by Robert Elmer
Covering history, geography, math and language arts concepts
Prologue
This story begins in April of 1955. Two things to notice, here. One, people with polio were kept in hospitals. Do people still get polio? Why or why not?
(Polio in the developed world – largely the Western hemisphere -- has been eradicated. However, before the polio vaccine was introduced by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, thousands of people were crippled or killed by the highly infectious disease. In 1952, nearly 60,000 people in the United States came down with polio, and 3,000 died. In Sabine’s case, her legs were severely weakened.)
And two, how would you describe the nurse’s reaction to Sabine’s (and her mother’s) faith? Try to find out more about the government of East Germany. Do you think the nurse’s attitude would have been common back then?
(The nurse’s antagonistic reaction would have been common because of the anti-religious bias of the communist government. Communism of that day sought to eradicate or marginalize religion.)
Chapter 1: Berlin, Germany
Who was the neighborhood “spy,” and why did he spy on his neighbors? What did his actions say about the government he worked for?
(The neighborhood spy was “Comrade” Wolfgang, and he reported to the government any suspicious activities. The use of neighborhood spies was common in East Berlin at the time, and reflected the government’s need to control its citizens by any means available.)
Chapter 2: The Bunker
What did Sabine find in the bunker? Look up the history of the Volkswagen and guess when it might have been built.
(Sabine found the remains of a World War 2-era Volkswagen beetle, perhaps an early prototype. The kind described in this story was probably made in the mid- to late-1930s, and perhaps used by German officials through the war years before it was stored in the underground bunker.)
Chapter 3: Escaping the Goatee
Sabine wanted to listen to a radio station that played Frank Sinatra. How would she find such a station, if she lived in East Germany? Find a map of Berlin in 1961 and guess where such a station might be located.
(The map will show how Berlin was divided, and particularly how West Berlin was surrounded on all sides by communist East Germany. The radio station would have been located in West Berlin.)
Chapter 4: The Right Thing
What did “FDJ” stand for, in German? What can you gather about the organization, and why would Sabine not want to join it? Compare that to her mother’s choice to join the Communist Party. Was her mother right?
(FDJ stood for “Freie Deutsche Jugend,” (FRY-uh DOY-chuh YOO-gund) or “Free German Youth.” It was a youth group formed to indoctrinate East German youth into the government’s ideals, and to steer them away from any religious training. Sabine’s mother joined the Communist party only because she was promised that the government would provide health care for families of party members. She was concerned for Sabine’s treatment needs.)
Chapter 5: Barbed-wire Sunday
What happened on August 13, 1961 that’s so important in history? Now find a map of Berlin, and measure its size from side to side. How many miles of wall went up overnight? Convert that to kilometers.
(The first barbed-wire portions of the Berlin Wall went up on this date. Answers on the size of the city will vary slightly, according to which map students use. But the main concepts here are to help them understand the scope of the wall, and to give them a little practice in metric conversion.)
Chapter 6: Oma Poldi Becker
Why did Sabine begin to panic in chapter 6? What set it off? Have you ever remembered long-ago memories because of a scent? If so, why do you think a scent can do that?
(Sabine panicked when she recalled her traumatic experience being locked in a hospital closet as a child. The panic was set off in part by the hospital’s antiseptic smell, which she remembered from that time. Often scents can trigger emotional memories, like the memory of a grandmother’s perfume or a favorite food. Have interested students research how memories are often linked to smells.)
Chapter 7: The View from Willi’s Place
Sabine mentions books by Corrie ten Boom and Anne Frank. These are real books. Look up those books and put them on your “to read” list.
(The books will include The Diary of Anne Frank, as well as several books by Corrie ten Boom, including The Hiding Place. Be aware that The Hiding Place may not be appropriate for sensitive or younger students.)
Chapter 8: The Idea
What do you think of Sabine and Willi’s protest? Would you have done the same thing? Why or why not? Is it okay to make your feelings known, even if it’s dangerous or unpopular?
(Student opinions will vary.)
Chapter 9: Visit from the Stasi
What is a strike? Why do you think people in the shops would not listen to Sabine?
(Explain the meaning of a strike, giving examples. Student responses will vary, but should center around the people’s fear getting in trouble.)
Chapter 10: An Unexpected Friend
As Sabine’s Oma lay in the hospital bed, she tried to tell Sabine she was sorry for something. Sadly, Sabine didn’t understand. Was it too late for Oma to apologize? What does this tell us about putting off saying you’re sorry?
(It was too late for Oma to apologize fully because of her inability to speak. Though this too is a serious subject, emphasize the importance of not putting off apologies or reconciliation. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?)
Chapter 11: Trusting Greta
At the end of the chapter, Sabine has second thoughts about what they’d been doing. Have you ever had that kind of doubt? What are some of the ways she could have responded?
(Again student responses will vary. Sabine obviously could have reversed her decision to get involved, or continued on as she did. The question speaks to remaining steadfast in the light of opposition, continuing on with a difficult project even when it’s tough.)
Chapter 12: Tunnel Fellowship
What was the dog’s name? After whom was the dog named?
(The dog’s name was Bismarck, named for the legendary German leader Otto von Bismarck. He was a popular military leader of the late 1800s, and his influence on German nationalism continued even after his death.)
Chapter 13: Sighted
Willi quotes a Bible verse – which one? How does it apply to their situation?
(The verse is Philippians 4:11, which reads in part that “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” It applies to the discussion Willi and Sabine have as they try to decide if they should be content to remain where they are, or flee to the West.)
Chapter 14: Panic Attack
What are Sabine and Erich arguing about in this chapter? Do you agree with him, or her, and why?
(They’re arguing about Sabine’s involvement in the tunnel project, and he’s trying to tell her she should stay—that her motives might be selfish for wanting to escape. Sometimes, he tells her, it’s better to stay where God has placed you. The question seems to be, can that place change, sometimes?)
Chapter 15: Homecoming
Why were all the interns from the hospital working together on such a dangerous project? What made them want to risk everything? Was it worth it? Explain your opinion.
(Talk about the desire for freedom, and how powerful a motivator it can be. Students will have varying opinions.)
Chapter 16: Our Father
At the funeral, Sabine thinks of an Old Testament story. Which one? What does it have to do with her family?
(It’s the story of Ruth, who is faithful to her mother-in-law. The comparison to Sabine’s mother and her faithfulness to Oma is plain.)
Chapter 17: Buried Alive
How would Willi and Sabine have known where to tunnel, and how far? Why did the tunnel collapse, and what does that say about how dangerous it was? What could have happened?
(Talk about Willi’s calculations from his window, and how he might have sighted their target from several directions. Although this discussion could easily lapse into advanced geometry it’s enough to get them thinking about how there might be several ways to measure distance – essentially creating a large triangle. About the dangerous aspect, be sure students know that any kind of tunneling activity can be highly dangerous, and that cave-ins are potentially deadly. In other words, don’t try this at home!)
Chapter 18: Last Chance
What did Willi’s gift really mean? Why do you think he gave it to Sabine?
(It meant that he didn’t think he’d be able to join her, and that he had a high regard for her.)
Chapter 19: The Calling
What was Erich’s agreement with his uncle? Why did he do such a thing?
(Erich agreed to stay behind and work in the hospital, mainly because he felt that was where God had called him to stay, but also as a way of pacifying his uncle, in a sort of deal to let the rest of the family escape.)
Epilogue:
How many people were killed trying to escape East Germany? Why do you think they would have risked their lives for freedom? How does Pastor Mendt’s quote apply to this story?
(At least 171 people died in escape attempts from communist East Berlin between 1961 and 1989. This goes back to the theme of chapter 15, where we examined how much people are willing to risk for freedom. It also leads to a discussion of real freedom, and where it’s found. Pastor Dietrich Mendt’s quote of Psalm 18 was meant to encourage those Christian believers who stayed behind. In the pastor’s words, “They didn’t understand this Word of God as encouragement to flee over the Wall, but rather as a statement of the fact that for God there are no walls.” For a closer look at the pamphlet he wrote, check out http://helios.augustana.edu/~ew/des/illustrated-articles/pamphlet.html.)
Study guide for Smuggler’s Treasure
Book 3 in The Wall series by Robert Elmer
Covering history, geography, math and language arts concepts
Prologue
This story begins in 1987, When President Ronald Reagan delivered a famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate, on the dividing line between East and West Berlin. Find it on a map that includes the old lines. If you lived in Communist East Berlin and heard Reagan’s speech drifting over the wall, how would you have felt?
Chapter 1: East Berlin Checkpoint
Have you ever had to go through a border crossing or security check at an airport? Did it make you nervous, even if you knew you hadn’t done anything wrong? Describe what Liesl must have felt, going through the checkpoint to visit the East.
Chapter 2: The Announcement
Nick Wilder had a hideout on an old plane at the Bighorn County Airport – which is actually a real place. Look it up on the Internet and see how big the C-54 really was.
Chapter 3: Unexpected Guest
Why did Liesl have to sneak in New Testaments to her friends in East Berlin? What could have happened if she had been discovered?
Chapter 4: For Fred
When Nick goes to the silversmith with his prize, the man has his own ideas about Wyoming, where Nick is from. He asks if Nick knows about cowboys and Indians, and that seems funny to us. But how easy is it for us to get “cowboys and Indians” ideas about places we don’t know enough about?
Chapter 5: First Draft
Liesl had to write a report about the Wall, and she quoted speeches from President John Kennedy, years before. Do you think kids in 1989 knew they were living in historic times? Do you know you’re living in the midst of history, as well?
Chapter 6: First Clues
The Reconciliation Church stood right on the dividing line between East and West Berlin, and was swallowed up in the “No Man’s Land” between the two halves of the city. Check out the story at http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.de/bin/englisch/geschichte.php and explain at least two reasons why the church building was eventually destroyed.
Chapter 7: For an Extra Cookie
Liesl uses a tape recorder (you know what that is, right?) to interview her grandmother about old stories. It’s called “oral history.” What are some of the ways you can find out more about your own family stories, or stories of older people you know?
Chapter 8: Dear Onkel Erich
When Liesl first met the group of older kids, why do you think she told them “I’ve even smuggled some things across the border”? Have you ever wanted to impress kids who were older than you? What’s the best way to do that?
Chapter 9: Insane
Where is the German Autobahn? Look it up on a map. If Nick’s dad was driving 120 kilometers per hour, how fast was that in miles per hour?
Chapter 10: Quark
In this story, the silver communion cup is inscribed with a young pastor’s name – Ulrich Becker – when he was ordained as a pastor. Explain why he would have been given a cup, and why it would have his name on it. In Germany, which church would he have been a part of? Is this similar to, or different than, what your church might do?
Chapter 11: False Report
Jürgen says being careful is “quark,” or total baloney. How would you have answered him, if you were in Liesl’s place? Remember, she’s 13 and he’s 16.
Chapter 12: Protest
Liesl’s grandmother underlined the verse in her Bible that said “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Compare Onkel Erich and Liesl. In this story, who is really more free, and why?
Chapter 13: Secret Told
Sabine’s grandmother was told her husband had died in a plane crash. Why was she lied to?
Chapter 14: They Know
Why do you think Fred Wilder wanted to remain anonymous?
Chapter 15: Feigling
What’s the difference between the difference Liesl wanted to make, and the difference Jürgen wanted to make? What is a “feigling”?
Chapter 16: Pity Party
Liesl feels she’s the only one who can track down her grandfather. Have you ever felt like “it’s all up to me”? What do you do about it?
Chapter 17: Finding Fred
When Liesl calls her grandfather, she forgets about the time difference. With a globe or other map that shows time zones, check to see the time in three other parts of the world – for example, in Berlin (Germany), Jerusalem (Israel) and Sydney (Australia).
Chapter 18: Long-Distance Call
Twenty or thirty years ago, a long-distance call across the world was rare and expensive. Often the connections were poor, and (like the conversation in this chapter) there were a lot of hissing and sputtering noises. What has changed?
Chapter 19: Detention
Why was Liesl arrested, and what did she do when she was? Do you ever find yourself praying like she did – only in emergencies?
Chapter 20: Riot
In the middle of a riot, Liesl thinks about the annual running of the bulls, in Spain. Do a little research and find out where this actually happens, in what city. Then describe why you think Liesl made this comparison.
Chapter 21: Cellar Secret
How long had Onkel Erich been working on his car, and where did he get it? What kind of car is it? What does it take to have that kind of patience?
Chapter 22: Bombig
The scene where people from both sides of the Wall climb on it and begin to tear it down is based on real history. Find a video clip (there are many online) and describe what you see and hear in a couple of paragraphs. Pretend you are Liesl. What are you feeling, and what does it look like to you?
Epilogue:
Explain how Liesl’s long voyage of bringing her family back together was a little like the real Berlin wall that eventually fell. Can you think of people or places with real (or imaginary) walls that need to come down? Groups of people with barriers between them? What could you do to help bring down those barriers?
Study guide ANSWER KEY for Smuggler’s Treasure
Book 3 in The Wall series by Robert Elmer
Covering history, geography, math and language arts concepts
Prologue
This story begins in 1987, When President Ronald Reagan delivered a famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate, on the dividing line between East and West Berlin. Find it on a map that includes the old lines. If you lived in Communist East Berlin and heard Reagan’s speech drifting over the wall, how would you have felt?
(Try to find an older map, if possible – ideally one what was made before 1989. Student answers will vary, but concentrate on the feeling of helplessness when one is trapped in a situation beyond one’s control.)
Chapter 1: East Berlin Checkpoint
Have you ever had to go through a border crossing or security check at an airport? Did it make you nervous, even if you knew you hadn’t done anything wrong? Describe what Liesl must have felt, going through the checkpoint to visit the East.
(Everyone will probably identify with the uneasy feeling of being scrutinized in a checkpoint. For anyone who may not have been in that kind of situation, have more well-traveled students explain. This will help them identify with the protagonist in the story.)
Chapter 2: The Announcement
Nick Wilder had a hideout on an old plane at the Bighorn County Airport – which is actually a real place, with a real collection of historic planes. Look it up on the Internet and see how big the C-54 really was.
(Check out http://www.spiritoffreedom.org for lots of good pictures of this historic airplane, including interior pictures. You may also have them locate Greybull, Wyoming – the site of the real airport.)
Chapter 3: Unexpected Guest
Why did Liesl have to sneak in New Testaments to her friends in East Berlin? What could have happened if she had been discovered?
(She knew that at the time, the East German government restricted the production and importation of Bibles. Along with her uncle and his friends, she wanted more people to receive their own copy, and like others at the time, she risked arrest for sneaking in the books.)
Chapter 4: For Fred
When Nick goes to the silversmith with his prize, the man has his own ideas about Wyoming, where Nick is from. He asks if Nick knows about cowboys and Indians, and that seems funny to us. But how easy is it for us to get “cowboys and Indians” ideas about places we don’t know enough about?
(Talk about stereotypes of regions, perhaps asking what students think of Chinese, or Australian aborigines, or Eskimos. The point is that our perception changes when we get to know people better.)
Chapter 5: First Draft
Liesl had to write a report about the Wall, and she quoted speeches from President John Kennedy, years before. Do you think kids in 1989 knew they were living in historic times? Do you know you’re living in the midst of history, as well?
(Work backwards by asking if the kids think they live in historic times. Their answer will most likely be “no.” So it’s a good guess that many kids living in Berlin may not have fully realized the historic importance of their times, at the time. History is always in the making.)
Chapter 6: First Clues
The Reconciliation Church stood right on the dividing line between East and West Berlin, and was swallowed up in the “No Man’s Land” between the two halves of the city. Check out the story at http://www.kapelle-versoehnung.de/bin/englisch/geschichte.php and explain at least two reasons why the church building was eventually destroyed.
(The two reasons are that the East German government considered the church an embarrassment, and that it was in the way of their guards. An interesting art assignment might be to sketch the church as it was being demolished, perhaps with two or three “before and after” views.)
Chapter 7: For an Extra Cookie
Liesl uses a tape recorder (you know what that is, right?) to interview her grandmother about old stories. It’s called “oral history.” What are some of the ways you can find out more about your own family stories, or stories of older people you know?
(Gather suggestions from students, and encourage them to look for history in their stories of people they know. Explain that much of the research for these books was inspired by personal stories the author gathered through e-mail interviews.)
Chapter 8: Dear Onkel Erich
When Liesl first met the group of older kids, why do you think she told them “I’ve even smuggled some things across the border”? Have you ever wanted to impress kids who were older than you? What’s the best way to do that?
(The obvious answer was that she wanted to impress the older group, and blurted out the most daring thing she could think of. It would eventually get her into trouble when she joins their protest, is photographed, and later imprisoned by East German border guards. But that’s later in the story.)
Chapter 9: Insane
Where is the German Autobahn? Look it up on a map. If Nick’s dad was driving 120 kilometers per hour, how fast was that in miles per hour?
(120 kilometers per hour is 74.56 (rounded to 75) miles per hour, roughly 120 divided by 1.6. Have student check their answers by multiplying again by 1.6. Make sure they understand which is larger, miles or kilometers, and explain which countries use the metric system as opposed to our system.)
Chapter 10: Quark
In this story, the silver communion cup is inscribed with a young pastor’s name – Ulrich Becker – when he was ordained as a pastor. Explain why he would have been given a cup, and why it would have his name on it. In Germany, which church would he have been a part of? Is this similar to, or different than, what your church might do?
(Pastor Becker would have been a part of the state-sponsored Lutheran church in Germany. Explain what a state-sponsored church is, and how there are none in the United States. However, as a Lutheran clergyman, Pastor Becker would have often traveled to homes and hospitals to administer communion. That’s what the cup was intended for.)
Chapter 11: False Report
Jürgen says being careful is “quark,” or total baloney. How would you have answered him, if you were in Liesl’s place? Remember, she’s 13 and he’s 16.
(Student answers will vary, but the point here is to give students ideas on how to politely refute older teens who may not always have good ideas. Talk about strategies for staying safe and not worrying what older kids think.)
Chapter 12: Protest
Liesl’s grandmother underlined the verse in her Bible that said “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Compare Onkel Erich and Liesl. In this story, who is really more free, and why?
(Point students to the passage in the middle of page 93, where Liesl compares herself to her uncle and wonders what her comparative freedom really means. To her, Onkel Erich seems to be more content, even with greater restrictions on his lifestyle. Ask students why that might have been the case.)
Chapter 13: Secret Told
Sabine’s grandmother was told her husband had died in a plane crash. Why was she lied to?
(Talk about the double-deception between his parents and her mother (Liesl’s great-grandmother) and the racial prejudice that led them to keep the two apart. Explain how this might have happened, after years of animosity between Germans and Americans during and after World War Two.)
Chapter 14: They Know
Why do you think Fred Wilder wanted to remain anonymous?
(Student answers will vary, but explain how he had lived his life in sadness after the loss of his wife – whom he believed had given up on him after his accident.)
Chapter 15: Feigling
What’s the difference between the difference Liesl wanted to make, and the difference Jürgen wanted to make? What is a “feigling”?
(“Feigling” (FYE-gling) means “coward” in German, and Jürgen wanted others to attack the problem with the same reckless abandon as his. Emphasize that although they both wanted the same thing, Liesl was the more cautious of the two. Even so, her desire to be accepted and part of the older group led her into almost as much trouble as the others. In other words, sometimes just standing on the sidelines can lead to trouble!)
Chapter 16: Pity Party
Liesl feels she’s the only one who can track down her grandfather. Have you ever felt like “it’s all up to me”? What do you do about it?
(Talk about not giving up, even when it seems others have abandoned the cause. Sometimes doing the right thing, or tackling difficult jobs, can get a little lonely. That’s normal!)
Chapter 17: Finding Fred
When Liesl calls her grandfather, she forgets about the time difference. With a globe or other map that shows time zones, check to see the time in three other parts of the world – for example, in Berlin (Germany), Jerusalem (Israel) and Sydney (Australia).
(Make sure students understand the differences in time zones, and that they’re due to the obvious rotation of the earth. While many students will easily grasp the concept, sometimes it takes a little thought to remember the more extreme differences.)
Chapter 18: Long-Distance Call
Twenty or thirty years ago, a long-distance call across the world was rare and expensive. Often the connections were poor, and (like the conversation in this chapter) there were a lot of hissing and sputtering noises. What has changed?
(The difference here is satellite technology and improvements in telephone service (notwithstanding poor cell connections!). Younger students may not realize that cell phones have only been around a few years, and that long-distance calls were uncommon when their grandparents (or even parents) were young. Just a bit of historical perspective and trivia.)
Chapter 19: Detention
Why was Liesl arrested, and what did she do when she was? Do you ever find yourself praying like she did – only in emergencies?
(She was arrested when East German border guards recognized her from a photo taken while she had briefly stood by a protest march at the Wall. She’d been holding one of the older kid’s protest signs. During her interrogation and detention, she desperately prays for help. Student answers will vary about “emergency” prayers, but they’ll find common ground and perhaps think of alternatives.)
Chapter 20: Riot
In the middle of a riot, Liesl thinks about the annual running of the bulls, in Spain. Do a little research and find out where this actually happens, in what city. Then describe why you think Liesl made this comparison.
(Have students check an encyclopedia or Google “Pamplona” for more information on the annual running of the bulls, and then report back to others. The comparison to a street riot before the Wall fell will be obvious.)
Chapter 21: Cellar Secret
How long had Onkel Erich been working on his car, and where did he get it? What kind of car is it? What does it take to have that kind of patience?
(As he says on page 148, he’s been working on this project for 28 years. It’s the same Volkswagen beetle that his younger sister Sabine discovered in Beetle Bunker. Remind them that he probably didn’t drive the car before that because of East German restrictions. Student answers will vary about the patience aspect, but ask them to imagine working on a single project for their entire lives.)
Chapter 22: Bombig
The scene where people from both sides of the Wall climb on it and begin to tear it down is based on real history. Find a video clip (there are many online) and describe what you see and hear in a couple of paragraphs. Pretend you are Liesl. What are you feeling, and what does it look like to you?
(Among many, see -- http://www.cnn.com/resources/video.almanac/1989/index3.html#berlin.wall or http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/9/newsid_2515000/2515869.stm
As with all other video or Internet resources, you should review each to determine its suitability for your class.)
Epilogue:
Explain how Liesl’s long voyage of bringing her family back together was a little like the real Berlin wall that eventually fell. Can you think of people or places with real (or imaginary) walls that need to come down? Groups of people with barriers between them? What could you do to help bring down those barriers?
(This gets to the deeper theme of the books, and student answers will vary. Make sure they see the symbolism of the walls coming down in Liesl’s family – as compared to the physical wall in their city.)