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1. What is Lina thinking about as the story opens?

As the story opens, Lina is looking back on the time leading up to being taken prisoner. She says she had seen signs that something was happening. Her mother had sewn her best jewelry into the lining of her coat and burned family photos. Lina later realizes her parents had intended to escape the country, but they were arrested before it could be accomplished.

2. Describe the arrest of Lina's family.

On June 14, 1941, Lina was already in her nightgown when Russian soldiers beat on the door of her home. The officer says the family has twenty minutes to pack. In Chapter 2, Lina begins packing, obeying the direction of Elena, her mother. Elena sends Lina's little brother Jonas to pack also.

3. How does Lina's quick thinking help her mother?

As Lina's mother is putting on her coat, Lina remembers seeing her mother sew her most valuable silver and jewelry into the lining of the coat. Lina loudly complains of needing to use the bathroom to distract the soldier watching her mother.

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