Chapters 1 and 2 Review 1. What do we learn about Hassan’s personality? 2. How would you describe Amir’s relationship with his Father based on Ch.2? 3. What ethnicity is Hassan and what ethnicity is Amir? How does this affect the plot and the character interactions? 4. What is significant about Amir’s first word and Hassan’s first word? How could those first words lay the foundation for the event in the winter of 1975?

Chapter 3 Quickwrite: What quality do you think your parents wish you had more of? How do you think it makes them feel that you do not have this quality? Why do you think they feel this way? Is there anything you could do to display that quality more? If not, why not? If so, why don’t you do it? (5-7 sentences)

Discussion Items: With a partner, discuss the following topics. Write down at least 3 sentences of summary per discussion topic. – Amir’s longing for connection to his parents – Hassan’s loyalty to Amir – Outside influences on Hassan and Amir’s relationship – Choose one topic that stands out to you the most. Pick 3 quotes that are related to the topic to discuss. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Chapter 4 Review With a partner, discuss the following: How does Ali become a part of Baba’s family? Why doesn’t Baba consider Ali a friend or Amir consider Hassan a friend? What does this reveal about their culture? How do you think this affects Amir? What does the pomegranate tree symbolize? How do you know? (Hint: Quotes!) Describe Hassan’s favorite story. Why do you think it is his favorite? How was Amir’s story both successful and a failure? Why is he upset that Hassan gave him a critique? How might this influence Amir’s internal conflict?

Chapters 5 & 6 Who are Assef, Wali, and Kamal? (Answer on your character chart) 1. Find a quote that shows Assef’s hatred. Explain who his hatred is directed towards and why. 2. Look at page 42. What can you infer “Agha” means? 3.Hassan makes a risky move in chapter 5. Why does he do this? What does this action reveal about his character? 4. What does Hassan receive for his birthday? What does this reveal about Baba’s character? How does Amir react to this gift? 5. Describe a kite battle. Who are kite runners and what is their purpose in a kite tournament? 6. What does Amir resolve to do in order to please Baba? Do you think it will work? Why or why not? 7. Why does Amir feel sad for Hassan at the end of chapter 6? How does Hassan reassure him?

Group Roles In addition to the following roles, each group member MUST contribute to the overall discussion of the novel. Reader (1-2 people) The Reader(s) will read the story out loud as the rest of the group follows along. Discussion Leader (1 person) The Discussion Leader will pause at appropriate times to pose questions, discuss, and analyze important aspects of the story (use the discussion guide for help) Scribe (2 people) The Scribe (s) will take detailed notes during the group’s discussion. In addition, they will find at least 4 quotations that properly illuminate the themes developed in the chapter.

With your group… As you read Chapter 7, discuss the following: – Loyalty (think of Amir and Hassan) – Amir’s emotional roller coaster – The role of racism/hatred (Hazara/Pashtun) – Amir and Hassan’s perceptions of their friendship (How do the differing perceptions influence the charters’ actions?) – The manipulation of power – Sacrifice (“Nothing was free in this world”) – Silence – The symbolism of the blue kite