American War - In order to prepare to critically engage with the text, students must

read the novel and prepare inquiry questions for each chapter. For our purposes of
literary analysis, students must create inquiry questions that fit into three different
categories.

Factual Questions Interpretive Questions Evaluative Questions

A factual question has only one correct answer based on evidence from the text.
Answers can usually be found by pointing to specific moments in the text. Everyone
should be able to agree on the answer. When possible, these questions should include
literary terminology

Factual Questions often begin with these phrases:

-What is...?
-Who is...?
-Where is...?
-When is...?

An interpretive question has more than one answer that can be reasonably supported
with evidence from the text. They present opportunities for personal interpretation.

Interpretive Questions often begin with these phrases:

-Why do you think....?
-Why does the author choose to…?
-What does [a specific character] mean when he says...?
-How come...?

An evaluative question asks you to decide whether you agree with the author’s ideas
or point of view in light of your own knowledge, values, and experiences. These
questions addresses broader issues mentioned in text and extend beyond the content
of the text itself.

Evaluative Questions often begin with phrases like:

-In your opinion, do you think...?
-Based on your experiences, do you believe...?
-Do you agree...?

The table for each chapter includes the minimum number of questions required;
students are encouraged to prepare additional questions when possible. As
American War is a dystopian novel, students are encouraged to look for potential
real world connections that Akkad may be commenting on.

Chapter One

Factual Questions

Why did Martina decide to live as a refugee rather than considering travelling elsewhere?

What does the North side benefit from being detrimental and why are they feared so much?

Interpretive Questions

why does the author choose to focus on 5 states specifically making them key locations?

Why does the author repeatedly bring up gender roles?

Why does the author choose to influence Muslims and use this religion specifically?

Evaluative Questions

Do you agree with the motivation that the book is based around personal beliefs or institutional
(religion, politics)

Do you agree with the identity/personality of the characters that have been formed by Akkad?

Chapter Two

Factual Questions

What does Benjamin’s death lead too?

Why does Martina choose to go to the north?

Interpretive Questions
What significance did the author think killing Benjamin?

Why are north and south soldiers labelled differently?

Why did the north and south soldiers split into two groups?

Evaluative Questions

Do you agree with split in the map of the US and is it fair or just in your eyes?

For the children who experience this daily, are they affected mentally and physically?

Chapter Three

Factual Questions

What will Martina resort to, in order to care for her children after the financial stability of her
family dies?

What is the statue significant to what does it represent, will it be shown in the book more often?

Interpretive Questions

Why does Omar choose to incorporate the information that Sarat has darker skin and develop
her personality at an early stage?

Why does Sarat’s personality revolve around little things like nature, and outdoors when living in
poor conditions?

What was the point in making Simon or Sarat’s brother passive aggressive?

Evaluative Questions

Do you think women are expected to stay at a refugee camp after the male figure (husband) dies
or are they forced to leave?

Do you think that in the near future we would be experiencing and adapting to the political
situations mentioned?
 Chapter Six - Seven

Factual Questions

Why do Albert and Joe trust Sarat with this political information? Is it so they can betray her?

Why does Sarat trust Albert Gaines so quickly and easily? What is their connection?

Interpretive Questions

Why does the author emphasize on Sarat being a tomboy?

Why is the author so interested and invested in Sarat and Albert Gaines’ relationship

Why did Albert Gaines choose Sarat to deliver something when he had just met her and why
does she accept?

Evaluative Questions

Why does Omar choose to bring up American violence and patriotism constantly?

Why does Sarat’s personality play her out to feel the need to prove herself?

Chapter Eight

Factual Questions

At this point what is Sarat more focused on revenge, family or safety?

Is this chapter ethical, they document too early when there are kids dying?
 Interpretive Questions

Was the storm chemically made? Was it aimed towards the camp or was it natural?

Why did Simon choose to help after leaving for months? Did he have something to do with it?

Why was Sarat’s character development so eminent in this chapter?

Evaluative Questions

Are rebels more detrimental than helpful or is it the opposite?

How does the big massacre relate to civil and land wars today or have been going on for
decades?

Chapter Eleven-Twelve

Factual Questions

Were the bombs aimed at dana? How did she die from the birds?

Why were there women locked up in cages? Is there a significance?

Interpretive Questions

What was the intended purpose of putting Sarat in the sugarloaf prison?

Is there a hatred towards Sarat in the prison? Why?

What is the friendship between Attic (from the Bragg boys) and Sarat related to? Is it of any
significance?

Evaluative Questions
Why did Omar choose to make the blues have more power and authority compared to other
areas?

Do you agree with laws and procedures at the sugarloaf camp, and with her being there?

Chapter Thirteen - Fourteen

Factual Questions

Was it really Albert Gaines who snitched on Sarat, why would he do that?

Why does Karina pose Sarat as the antagonist or bad guy?

Interpretive Questions

What does Sarat portray for Benjamin to be interested in her? What does she give that the others
don’t?

How betrayed and upset would Sarat feel after her close friend snitching on her?

Why is Marcus still there? Why hasn’t he left yet?

Evaluative Questions

Why does the author not make Sarat kill the bud’s family but instead releases them?

Has anything changed in the blue side since Sarat has been locked up?

Chapter Fifteen

Factual Questions
Why does Sarat rebel against the whole north rather than the soldiers/antagonists?

What would be the relationship of Sarat and Benjamin in the future?

Interpretive Questions

What was the intended purpose of Sarat visiting Gaines? Is there significance?

Did the author purposefully decide its best for Benjamin Jr to get taken by the people she doesn’t
trust?

Was Joe planning an attack on the north all along or was it both of them?

Evaluative Questions

Do you think something triggered Sarat or was she always a rebel?

Do you agree with the concept of the ending? Is it valid, realistic and believable to conclude this
story?