The Bone Sparrow

Analyze the author’s choice to use the first-person point of view for Subhi’s perspective and the third person for Jimmie’s perspective. Fraillon initially wrote the story from Queeny’s perspective. Knowing this, how might this have changed the tone of the narrative?

Explore food as a motif in the story. How does the author use the lack of nutritious or even palatable food in the camp to highlight the human rights violations enforced on the detainees? What is the significance of Jimmie’s hot chocolate and the picnic she brings Subhi? Contrast this with the hunger strikes.

Discuss the role of adults in the camp versus that of children. How is the forced incarceration hampering the adults’ ability to parent and guide the children, and how does this negatively impact the children?