Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. In March 2003, the United States declared war on Iraq, and soon after invaded the country. Consider your prior knowledge on this subject. What was the motive of the United States for the invasion? How did the international community respond to the invasion? Was the war considered successful? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: This question serves as a broad introduction to the setting of the book: the 2003 war in Iraq. Possible answers to the question about motives include: the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on US soil; the belief in the presence of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) in Iraq; the desire to continue President George H.W. Bush’s campaign to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s dictatorial regime; and economic interest in Iraq’s oil supply. For the most part, the international community disagreed with the US invasion of Iraq, with many Member States of the United Nations condemning the invading coalition.

Given the complex nature of the war, as well as the reasons for the invasion, there is disagreement about whether the war should be deemed a success.