Shooting Kabul

Fadi spends most of the novel in a state of anxiety because he does not want to reveal that he is the one responsible for losing Mariam. How would the story have been different if Fadi had told his family about his guilt as soon as they arrived in the United States?

Throughout the book, Fadi is subjected to Ike and Felix’s bullying, especially after September 11th. In your opinion, is “the brotherhood’s” decision to ambush the bullies right or wrong? What would have happened if the boys decided to beat up the bullies in the same way Ike and Felix had been beating them up for years?

Fadi believes bringing Mariam home will solve all his family’s problems. Do you think this is true? How would the Nurzais’ lives have been different if Mariam had made the journey with her family to America?

For most of the novel, Zafoona plays a minor role. Since the story centers on Fadi and his family, why, in your opinion, is his mother not a central character?

Other than Fadi, Habib is the most important family member in the story. How would the story be different if it had been told through Habib’s perspective? Support your response with examples from the text.

In theory, Fadi and his family could have lived anywhere in the United States. In your opinion, is it important that the novel takes take place in Fremont, California, or could it just as easily have been set in another city?

Noor has a minor coming-of-age arc in the story. What do you think makes her change her attitude when her family arrives in the United States? 

Why do you think it was important for the author to the present the Nurzais’ food, language, and culture using Farsi instead of English?