Visual Response – Moments that hit hard

Choose one powerful image to draw based on the events in these chapters:

• Mahmoud and his mother floating in the Mediterranean Sea

• Josef’s father in the ocean with sharks circling

• Isabel’s boat reaching the Bahamas

Then write a paragraph reflection:

• Why did you choose this moment?

• What emotions do you think the characters were feeling?

• What were you feeling as you read it?

Success Criteria:

• I accurately capture a powerful scene in the story.

• I include detail and emotion in my drawing and reflection.

• I explain the importance of this moment in the book.

Critical Thinking - Reactions & Decisions

Pick one of these thinking tasks to explore a character’s decision or experience:

• Create a poster with the slogan: “Fight against the impossible and win.” Include drawings and examples from each character’s journey.

• Reflect on Mahmoud’s mother: Would you have handed Hana over to strangers? Record a video response or write your thoughts.

Success Criteria:

• I explore difficult choices and show empathy.

• I use character evidence from the story.

• I connect real-life issues to the book.

Character Tracker - Who they were vs. Who they're becoming 

Create a character change chart (or a digital slide, table, or poster).

Choose one or more characters and track how they’ve changed using evidence:

• How were they at the start?

• What are they going through now?

• What decisions have they made?

• What are they learning?

Include: at least 3 turning points or moments of change.

Characters to consider:

• Mahmoud (especially his role during the water rescue)

• Josef (after what happened to his father)

• Isabel (and her father’s changing behaviour)

Success Criteria:

• I explain how and why a character has changed.

• I support my thinking with examples from the story.

• I show a deeper understanding of character development.