Allies

Compare and contrast Allies with another World War II novel aimed at middle graders/young adults. Ideas for another title include My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. What are some similarities and differences in the characters’ perspectives? The settings? How do these affect the way each author tells the story?

How are the Nazis and the various Ally characters portrayed in the book? What differences are there? What similarities?

Do some research on Algeria’s quest for independence during the twentieth century (you could start with the information in Gratz’s Author Note) and the role of Algerian immigrants in France during World War II. How does Samira’s story align with the historical facts? How does it differ?