Part Four: The Standover Man – Guidelines for a well-structured summary

“The Accordionist (The Secret Life of Hans Hubermann)”

1. Which two questions does Max ask Hans Hubermann? Why do you believe Max asks these two questions?

2. Death remembers Hans from World War I and states that they never had  a scheduled meeting. How did Hans avoid meeting Death during World War I?

3. What “small but noteworthy note” does Death offer the reader in this  chapter? 

Do you feel that this might embody a theme for the novel? Why or why not?

4. Briefly identify Erik Vandenburg on the character grid.

5. How does Hans gain possession of Erik Vandenburg’s accordion?

6. Summarize Hans Hubermann’s political conflict. Name his major mistakes.

7. What life"changing event occurred for Hans Hubermann on June 16,1939?

“A Good Girl”

1. What occurs in November 1940?

2. How does Liesel respond to Max’s arrival?

3. What do you believe is the “wild card” to which Death refers?

“A Short History of the Jewish Fist Fighter”

1. Who was Max’s favorite fist-fighting opponent? Where did Max train as a child?

2. How does Max personify Death? What is Death’s reaction?

3. In how many fights did Walter Kugler and Max engage over  the  years? Did they  remain friends?

4. How old was Max on the “night of broken glass” (November 9, 1938)? 

5. How did Max escape capture? What happened to Max’s family?  What is Max’s reaction?

6. What is written on the piece of paper that Max received from his mother? Why is that paper important?

7. Why does the fact that the Hubermanns have a child concern Max?

8. Who speaks first at the end of the chapter?

“The Wrath of Rosa”

1. What startles Liesel from her sleep?

2. What does Liesel find unusual about Rosa’s reaction to the stranger?

3.Explain the final line in the chapter? “Who are these people?”

“Liesel’s Lecture”

1. What important point about character does Death make in the opening paragraph?

2.How are Rosa’s actions and conversations different on this day?

3.What story does Hans offer to Liesel?

4. Of what promise does Hans remind Liesel? What does Hans tell Liesel will happen if shebreaks her promise?

5.How does Rosa uncharacteristically greet Liesel when she returns from her talk with Hans?

“The Sleeper”

1.How does Max spend the first three days with the Hubermanns?

2.What does Max say in his sleep?

“The Swapping of Nightmares”

1. Where does Max decide he belongs?

2. Behind what is Max hidden in the basement?

3. Why does Max want to get up and walk out of the Hubermanns’ home? What does he do? Why?

4. What catches Liesel’s eye when she finally goes into the basement? What does Liesel attempt to ask Max?

5. What is the only thing that Mama and Papa argue about after Max’s arrival?

6. What does Liesel learn about Rosa after Max’s arrival,according to Death?

7. What helps Liesel to maintain her sanity?

8. What comparison does Death make to Liesel reading in the mayor’s library and Max livingin the basement?

9. How does Hans and Liesel’s reading save Max’s life?

10. What change do the Hubermanns make in their routine in order to preserve Max’s health and safety?

11. How do new stories enter the Hubermanns’ home nightly?

12. What word does Max use to characterize himself? Do you agree or disagree with that characterization?  Explain your answer.

13. What prompts Liesel to tell Papa she does not need him to stay with her when  she has a nightmare? Why do you think Liesel tells Papa she no longer needs him to stay with her?

14. What gift does Liesel bring to Max daily?

15. What gift does Liesel receive for her twelfth birthday? How does she include Max in her special day?

“Pages from the Basement”

1. Why is Liesel kept from the basement?

2. How many pages does Max think he will need?

3. Comment on the book that Max gives to Liesel.  What do you feel is the importance of this book?

4. How does Max give the book to Liesel? How does Liesel react to the gift?