The Red Pencil

Part 1, Chapters 1-32

Reading Check

1. 12 (Chapter 1)

2. Gad Primary School at Nyala (Chapters 5-6)

3. Leila and Nali the sheep (Chapters 21 and 23)

Short Answer

1. Amira likens Dando and Old Anwar’s fight about tomatoes to war, because she believes the argument to be just as foolish and unnecessary as war. (Chapters 9 and 12)

2. Amira listens carefully to Muma out of respect for her, and because she sees how the mention of the Janjaweed seems to frighten her otherwise strong mother. (Chapter 32)

Part 1, Chapters 33-79

Reading Check

1. Old Anwar (Chapter 35)

2. Flitter (Chapter 55)

3. Kalma (Chapter 79)

Short Answer

1. Amira realizes that she behaved selfishly when she refused to come in during the haboob and rushes to apologize to Dando. (Chapters 52-53)

2. Amira and the villagers stop calling for Sayidda Moon, as it is safer for them to travel in darkness so as to avoid being detected by the militia who monitor the desert. (Chapter 73)

Part 2, Chapters 80–112

Reading Check

1. Her voice (Chapter 82)

2. Miss Sabine, a volunteer with Sudan Relief (

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