Discussion Questions

  • How do you think Isaac felt when he learned that his window was broken because he was Jewish?

  • Why did his parents believe it was important to keep a menorah in their window, even though it could put them in danger?

  • Why do you think Teresa Hanley and her family wanted to place a menorah in their window?

  • The residents of Billings stood up to bullies despite the risks. Why do you think they did that?

  • In 1943, the citizens of Denmark (the Danes) worked hard to save their Jewish neighbors. Why do you think their courageous actions were so inspiring to the citizens of Billings almost exactly fifty years later?

  • What does it mean to be an upstander? What is the importance of being an upstander instead of a bystander?

  • How do the 1993 events in Billings embody the true meaning of the holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah?

  • Why do you think people sometimes hate and bully other people because of their race, religion, or sexual orientation? Is it ever okay to hate people for those reasons?

  • Do you think the hateful incidents that happened in Billings could happen in your town? Have they ever happened?

  • What do you think your family and neighbors would do?

  • Were you ever in a situation where being a good friend posed a risk, or might have been too dangerous?

  • What can each of us do to try to fight against intolerance?

  • What motivated the author to write the story of Billings? Why did she head to Montana from her home state of New Jersey when she read about what had happened there?

  • The author put a quote on the cover of the new edition of the book: “Just one tiny candle, we lit. It wasn't much. But it was something.” Why do you think she chose to do that?

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

  • Introduce the idea of being an upstander to children and how they might stand up for what is right. Have they ever been bullied or seen someone else being bullied? What do they think it takes to be an upstander? Have them think of small or big actions they can take to support and show kindness to someone else.

  • Ask children to look out for others who are being upstanders, even if it’s a seemingly small act.

  • Talk with children about their role models and how they show courage and kindness toward others. Role models may include people they know personally, or people in history, or in the world at large. They could talk or write about them, or draw their portrait.

  • The idea of community is important in the book. Have children think about what community means and how they can create stronger communities with their family, school, and local communities. How do communities keep people safe?

  • The symbol of the menorah in thousands of windows spread hope and light in Billings while sending the message, “We are standing up against hate.” What are other symbols that people can put in their windows to express kindness and community? Ask children to draw their own menorahs for their windows or have them create their own symbol that spreads goodwill.