Ground Zero

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 50 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. How does the first chapter introduce Brandon and the setting of the World Trade Center? What details make the morning feel normal before anything goes wrong?
2. Why is Brandon at work with his dad, and what do you learn about their relationship in this chapter?
3. What do you learn about Reshmina’s home, family, and daily life in Afghanistan? How is her world different from Brandon’s?
4. What does Pasoon say or do that shows what he wants for his future? How does Reshmina react to him?
5. When the first plane hits the tower, how does Brandon respond? What does this show about him?
6. What details in this chapter help you picture the danger and confusion inside the tower?
7. How does Reshmina feel about school, learning, and her future? What do her thoughts show about her character?
8. How do Reshmina and Pasoon respond differently when danger comes near their village? What does this tell you about each twin?
9. Brandon has to depend on other people to survive. Who helps him in this chapter, and how?
10. The title of the book is Ground Zero. Based on what you have read so far, what do you think that phrase might mean in the story?
11. What obstacles make it hard for Brandon to move toward safety? How does he keep going?
12. How does Reshmina’s family react to the fighting nearby? What does their reaction show about living in a war zone?
13. How does the author build suspense by switching between Brandon’s story and Reshmina’s story?
14. What does Brandon learn about courage in this chapter? Use one event to explain your answer.
15. What choice does Reshmina make when she finds the injured American soldier? Why is this choice difficult?
16. Why could helping a stranger be dangerous for Reshmina and her family? What risks does she have to think about?
17. How do Brandon’s memories of getting in trouble at school affect the way you understand him?
18. What do you predict will happen if Pasoon keeps being drawn toward the Taliban? Explain your thinking.
19. Which adult character has the biggest effect on Brandon in this chapter? How does that person help or hurt the situation?
20. What theme about fear and bravery is shown in this part of the book?
21. How does Reshmina see Taz when she first spends time with him? Does she trust him? Why or why not?
22. Reshmina decides whether to hide or protect Taz. What does her decision show about her values?
23. What examples of helpers does Brandon notice during the disaster? Why are those helpers important?
24. Choose one unfamiliar word or phrase from this chapter. What do you think it means, and what clues helped you figure it out?
25. How do the dust, smoke, noise, or darkness affect the mood of Brandon’s chapters?
26. How does Reshmina try to balance loyalty to her family with doing what she believes is right?
27. What do you learn about Pasoon’s feelings toward Americans? What events may have shaped those feelings?
28. In what ways are Brandon and Reshmina both trapped or challenged, even though they live in different times and places?
29. Which scene in this chapter felt the most intense to you? What made it feel that way?
30. What does Brandon realize about his father or his family during the crisis?
31. How does danger in Afghanistan change quickly in this chapter? What does that teach the reader about war?
32. What do you predict will happen because Taz is with Reshmina’s family? Give reasons from the story.
33. Which character shows resilience in this chapter? What actions prove that the character does not give up?
34. How does the author show the cost of war on regular people, not just soldiers?
35. If you could ask Brandon one question at this point in the story, what would you ask and why?
36. If you could give Reshmina advice in this chapter, what would you tell her? Use details from the story.
37. How do rumors, fear, or missing information affect what the characters decide to do?
38. Now that you have read more of the book, what does the title Ground Zero mean to you?
39. What act of sacrifice or support stands out in this chapter? Why is it meaningful?
40. How has Brandon changed from the beginning of the book to this point? Give at least one example.
41. How has Reshmina’s view of the “enemy” changed or become more complicated?
42. What does Pasoon’s path show about how anger and grief can influence a person’s choices?
43. How do small acts of kindness make a difference in a dangerous situation?
44. What message do you think the author is giving about revenge? Use a detail from the chapter to support your idea.
45. Choose a strong word, image, or description from this chapter. Why is it effective?
46. Which decision near the end of the story has the biggest consequences? Explain why you chose it.
47. How do Brandon’s story and Reshmina’s story connect in ideas, feelings, or lessons?
48. What moment near the ending gave you hope, sadness, or both? Explain your reaction.
49. What lesson from the book do you think readers should remember after finishing it?
50. After reading the whole book, how did the alternating chapters help you understand the effects of 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

How does Reshmina feel about school, learning, and her future? What do her thoughts show about her character?

I think Reshmina cares a lot about learning because she sees school as a way to have a better future. She does not want her life to be only about fear and war. Her thoughts show that she is brave and hopeful, even when things around her are dangerous. I also think she is determined because she keeps wanting more for herself.

Reshmina decides whether to hide or protect Taz. What does her decision show about her values?

Reshmina’s decision shows that she believes a hurt person should be helped, even if that person is supposed to be her enemy. I think she values kindness and doing what is right more than just following fear. She also knows her choice could bring danger to her family, so it is not an easy decision. That makes her seem very brave to me.

How has Reshmina’s view of the “enemy” changed or become more complicated?

At first, I think Reshmina mostly sees Americans as part of the war that has hurt her village. When she meets Taz, she starts to see him as a real person, not just an enemy. This makes her feelings more complicated because she can be angry about the war but still feel compassion for one soldier. I think the author wants readers to understand that people on different sides can still be human.