I Wanted to Say Again... Thank You!

Dear Friends,
I hear that your school year is almost over.  Hang in there!  You can do it!  I have been out of school for about a week. I told Ms. Ciupe a few days ago that one year ago, I was there visiting your school in Targu Lapus.  The memories of my time in your beautiful town will always stay with me.

What will also stay with me are the connections we have maintained throughout this year. You will never know how much that has meant to me.  It has also meant so much to Max.  All of you have supported, encouraged, and done whatever you could to help throughout the process of me finishing the book.  All I can continue to say is thank you.

One story stands out that I wanted to share with you. As I was preparing for the book launch in February, I wanted to somehow share the special relationships that Max and I now had in Targu Lapus.  The pictures that you sent of the old bridge in Targu Lapus and of some of you standing on the new bridge told a very powerful story.  I posted the video I created with some of these pictures on the blog. Please let me know what you think of it.

As your school year ends, I hope you have a restful, peaceful, exciting, and fun summer! Please don't ever hesitate to keep in touch.  And if there is ever any way I can help any of you, I will do my best.

Take care and hope to hear from you soon!

Amy

Hometown Video

This is the video I created and used at the first book signing in February.

Food for Thought

Hi, everybody! I am sure that all of you have read the book by now. I have some questions for you and I want to let you know that both Amy and I are eager to find out what you think!
Choose whatever question appeals to you and start writing!

1. What do you think Amy's goals were when she asked Max to participate in the project?
2. Describe Max's relationship with friends and neighbours in Targu Lapus and how things changed by the late 1930s. (chapter 4-6)
3. What happened to Max and his family in May 1944?
4. What stands out to you as Max describes the situation on the train? (chapter 7-9)
5. How did Max find out about the fate of his family after they were separated?
6. Max describes several experiences at Kaufering III. Which one stands out to you the most? Why?(chapter 10-13)
7. What decision did Max and other prisoners have to make when they were sent back to Dachau? What did Max choose and where did he go as a result of his decision? (chapter 14-16)
8. Discuss the challenges that Max faced within the first year of being liberated. (chapter 17-20)
9. What prompted Max to begin speaking and telling his story?
10. The author asks the question "How can we be certain that their lives, memories and legacies are remembered?" How would you answer this question?  

Another Message from Max to Students in Targu Lapus

When Max visited our classroom on May 3, he sent this message to you! 

How Was Spring Break?

Hello!
It has been awhile since we have communicated.  Hope all of you in Targu Lapus had a great spring break! I wanted to let you know that Mr. Max is coming to speak to my class tomorrow (Wednesday).  I told Ms. Ciupe that I would put a post on the blog to let you know.  I know he would be excited to hear from all of you in Targu Lapus and would love to answer any questions you might have.  Please post your questions.  I will be filming his talk and will post portions of it here. I really wish we could Skype while he visits, but there is an 8 hour time difference.  Hope to hear from you.  Post your questions!!! 

Ms. McDonald

Let's Read!!!

We have just returned from spring break and are about to begin reading Determined to Survive.  We are excited about reading this book together with all of you in Targu Lapus!  To direct the discussion, I will post a topic or question from the reading questions. 

From Ch. 1 - 3:
1.  Have you ever met or heard a Holocaust survivor speak?  If so, tell us about it.  If not, what types of questions would you ask if you could?

A Message from Max