1. The Children of Willesden Lane
Discussion Questions
The Children of Willesden Lane

2. Chapter 1:
Which characters have we met so far in The Children of Willesden Lane?
Do you think Professor Isseles is sad/upset to be losing Lisa as a student? Why?
How would you feel if someone informed you that they could no longer be around/work with you simply because of who you are?
Is there something in your life that you love that you have had to strive to perfect without anyone’s help?

3. Chapter 5:
Why do you think Sid waited until Lisa arrived to tell her that he and his wife could not take her into their home?
Do you think that Sid handled the situation well? Should he have stayed with Lisa and made sure everything turned out ok, or was it ok that he left her?
What do YOU do when you are in a scary situation to make yourself feel better?

4. Chapter 6:
How would you feel if the letter you had been waiting for from your family, was short and void of any information?
Why do you think Lisa’s mother kept the letter so short?
If you were in Lisa’s shoes, would you want to know about everything going on in Vienna? Why?
Why do you think Lisa bought the bike?
What does it mean to “Make something of yourself?”

5. Chapter 7-8: Why did Lisa leave the Captain’s home?
Would you have left the comfort and safety of the Captain’s home, or would you have stayed? Why?
Knowing that people are evacuating London, do you think it wise that Lisa is wanting to stay there?
Who are Gina and Mrs. Cohen? What do you think of them?
How is Lisa feeling about 243 Willesden Lane? Why do you think she feels this way?

6. Chapter 9-10:
What similarities do Gina and Lisa share? What differences do the two girls share?
What is Lisa doing when all of the children return home from work?
Why do you think Mrs. Cohen is letting Lisa play the piano every day?
What do you think of Lisa’s mother’s letter?
What is Lisa’s plan to get Sonia out of Vienna? Does it work? Why?
Explain Sonia and Lisa’s short time together (What do they do? What does Sonia bring? Where is Sonia headed?).
What do you think is coming for the future of London? How are people preparing?

7. Chapters 11-12:
In this chapter, Gunter shares a story, and within that story, mentions that his father cried. What are some reasons as to why parents cry? Do not necessarily share specific examples of moments when your parents have cried, but discuss why parents would/do cry? How does it make you feel when adults cry?
Many residents of London have left, or are leaving London. Do you think the city is still too dangerous? Why?
Why was the “committee” developed? Has the purpose seemed to change? How is it different now?
Why do people tend to come together in time of war or other crises? What does your answer suggest about the power of a united community? What are some examples of the community coming together to help one another?
What is it about Aaron that makes Lisa think he is “trouble?”
Why is it important to find joy and fun in hard times?
Are YOU able to make hard situations better?

8. Chapter 13-14:
Frustrated at receiving so little news from Mr. Hardesty at the Bloomsbury House, Aaron angrily says, as he walks away, “Why would he care, anyway? He’s not Jewish!” What do you think Aaron was implying? How do you like to think you would have responded to Aaron’s remarks?
What is patriotism? How do you account for the rise in British patriotism among the residents of Willesden Lane?
Although Lisa observes that the British seem taken over by a wave of “super-patriotism” following the British boatlift at Dunkirk, she expresses her own pride in their accomplishment. Why do displays of patriotism give her hope?
Employees of local businesses are still going to work. What does this tell you about how people get through difficult times?
Sonia refuses to “speak the words of Hitler.” What does she mean by this?
Explain Lisa’s decision to continue playing the piano. Why would she put herself in danger?
If you were one of the children of Willesden Lane, how do you think you would be feeling right now?

9. Chapter 15
How would you describe the relationship between Lisa and Mrs. Canfield?
Do you agree or disagree with Lisa’s choice to leave work to “renew her alien registration card?” What were her reasons for this choice?
What do we learn about Aaron’s family? What choice did his father make? Do you understand Aaron better now that you know about his background? Why or why not?

10. Chapters 16-17
The children are excited to have the opportunity to learn. How would you feel if you couldn’t go to school and had to work instead?
How have you or how do you plan to “make something of yourself?”
Do you think Rosie and Leo are safe?
What do you think about Aaron’s mystery? Where is he getting all of this money? Do you think it is wise that he spends so freely?
What does Lisa mean by “hook or crook…I’m going to make it through?”

11. Chapters 18-19
What will happen to Aaron? Were you expecting something like this to happen?
Why is hard work and determination important?
What is going on with the children at the hostel?
When is a time that you can say that you totally gave something your all?

12. Chapter 20
If you could have any dream of yours fulfilled, which dream would it be? Why? How do you plan to make that dream a reality?
What do you think Aaron is day dreaming about? Why?

13. Chapter 21
Would you have left, like Aaron, to fight the Nazis if given the chance? Why?
Why is Lisa so worried about her family?
Why were Sonia and Lisa finally able to see each other? How was the visit?
Why did Lisa quit her job?
Why is Lisa’s new job a good one for her?
Chapter 22
Do you value constructive criticism? Why or why not?
How has war changed Aaron?
How is Lisa feeling about her relationship with Aaron?

14. Chapter 23-24 Why is Lisa proud of the British people?
What saddens/worries Lisa even though the war in Europe is over? Would you feel the same why?
What awful things are the children of Willesden Lane, and others around the world, learning and finding out now that the war is over?
How would you feel not knowing if your family had survived the camps, and just having to wait for news?

15. Chapter 25 What happened to some of our character’s families?
Were you surprised that Rosie & Leo survived?
What did Rosie & Leo go through over the course of the war?
Why is Lisa struggling with her music?
Have you ever experienced a similar situation like Lisa is going through with her music?

16. Chapter 26 & Epilogue
What happened to Lisa’s parents? Were you expecting this to happen?
What happens to all of the children from Willesden Lane? How do their lives turn out?
What do you think of this book? What did you like/dislike? What did you want to see/ know more about?