The View From Saturday

How is Julian Singh received by his peers at Epiphany Middle School? In what ways does the book interrogate or fail to interrogate the concepts of racism and xenophobia that define his early experiences there?

Discuss the roles of kindness and cruelty in the narrative arc of Konigsberg’s novel. In what ways are the story’s major plot points underscored by one or the other? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Why does Nadia name their group The Souls? Discuss the significance of that name in light of one of the novel’s central themes listed in this guide.

What parallels does Nadia draw between her life and the lifecycle of turtles? Why importance does this comparison have to her character arc?

Why doesn’t Ethan initially step in to protect Julian from being bullied? In what ways does this initial encounter with Julian catalyze Ethan’s own character arc?

Does the book characterize The Souls’ victory in the Academic Bowl as their most important achievement? Cite evidence from the text to support your argument.

How does Mrs. Olinski come to terms with her frustrations and resentment? What role do those emotions play in her journey to Accepting and Embracing Change?

Discuss the importance of The Souls’ teatime ritual to each character’s arc. How does it contribute to the lesson that each Soul needs to learn?