The Paper House Chapter Questions
Please write a paragraph (6-8 sentences) for each question in your journal.

1. Think about a typical day in your life. How would your life be different if you were forced to work to support your family instead of going to school? What if you had to sell garbage, like Safiyah?

2. Safiyah dreams of learning to read and write. What do you think she’d say to a North American child who grumbles about having to go to school every day?

3. When Safiyah loses her footing and falls in the pile of garbage, something sharp pokes her in the back. Consider what your family throws away. What sorts of dangers do you suppose would be lurking in the dump?

4. Do you feel rich most of the time? What about if you compare your possessions to Safiyah’s?
    What about if you compare your advantages (i.e. hot meals, baths, a clean bed to  
    sleep in) to hers?  How does the perspective of wealth differ depending on who you are?

5. Safiyah’s grandmother is ill, but the girl doesn’t want to take her to the hospital because she knows that people who go there never come home. As you see it, is she right in making this decision on behalf of her grandmother? Explain your thinking.

6. In the middle of chapter 6, Safiyah recalls one of Cucu’s stories about when Safiyah was a baby. What are some familiar stories from your childhood?

7. At the end of chapter 6, Safiyah heads back to the dump even though she knows it’s dangerous—and that Cucu has forbidden her to cross paths with Blade again. As you see it, why do children sometimes ignore the advice of their elders? Why does Safiyah do it, in this instance?

8. Safiyah is surprised when Blade—Rasul—offers to get her some clean water to drink. As far as she knows, he’s a fearsome gang member, not a friend to children in need. Write or talk about a time when you were surprised by someone who turned out to be different than you expected.

9. Cucu asks Safiyah to return to Kibera to get her mancala board. Similar to Safiyah’s rope bracelet, the mancala board is the only thing Cucu has left from village life. What is precious to you? What one thing would you take if you had to flee your home and community?

10. When Safiyah returns home to get Cucu’s mancala board, she is greeted by her new neighbor.
      She knows many of the people who live in the slum. What is the importance of  
      neighbors? Do you know yours? Why is being part of a community so important to us?

11. When Safiyah realizes Pendo has changed the nature of her mural, she becomes angry with her friend and begins to destroy the girl’s work. What would you say to Safiyah right now, if you could?


12. Despite Rasul’s tendency to look out for Safiyah, people in the community don’t trust him. Even if he hasn’t personally hurt them, they know about the unjust things he has done to others. Discuss how a person’s reputation shapes the way they are seen by other people.

13. Cucu tells Safiyah friendship is hard. Give an example of a time in your life  
       where you have found this to be true.

14. In making up with Pendo, Safiyah realizes that words are easy—and that some-   times they make it too easy to hurt a good friend. How have you used words in the wrong way? What’s a good way to avoid doing this again?

15. Safiyah works on her mural until her eyes and body ache. She loves the work and wants to do an excellent job. She doesn’t mind that the work is hard, because the results feel so good. What sorts of projects or pastimes do you feel passionate about?

16. Not only is Safiyah a gift to Cucu and her community, she also possesses artistic gifts. List five things in your world that you consider to be gifts. Now make a list of five gifts you have.

17. Safiyah and Cucu used to live in a rural village with a big community. Now they are forced to live in a Nairobi slum, where it’s a struggle to survive. Explain whether you agree or disagree with the statement: “Humans can adapt to anything.”

18. When Safiyah is being congratulated by her community, the women hug her and pinch her cheeks. This is a cultural ritual that shows approval. What rituals of approval have you found in your culture?