Book Club Discussion Questions for Love Finds You in Victory Heights

Are you in a book club? Love Finds You in Victory Heights offers lots of discussion possibilities. I've created a list of questions to help get the the dialog hopping.

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA
Book Club Discussion Questions

1. Would you be willing to leave your “normal” life and take on a factory job? What would be the challenges and benefits?

2. What are some sacrifices the folks on the home front made during World War II as depicted in the book? What challenges did they face? How do you think today’s society would respond if asked to make similar sacrifices?

3. Morale in World War II was propelled by propaganda. Can you come up with any examples of this? Do you think this was a proper way to rally support for the war effort? How would our culture respond to such propaganda today?

4. What did you learn about American history?

5. Throughout the book, tragedies of war invade the characters’ lives: Vic’s death, Kenny’s father’s injury, etc. Which of these glimpses most brought home to you war’s painful reality and why?

6. How did individuals from that era deal with their grief? How do we handle pain today? What are the similarities and/or differences?

7. The book displays many snapshots of life in the 1940s. Which scene most vividly depicts this for you? What aspects do you like best? Which are you glad we’ve moved past?

8. What are some acts of Christian friendship shown by Rosalie and Birdie?

9. Tilly becomes Rosalie’s Christian mentor in the book. Describe a mentoring relationship you have, either as mentor or student.

10. Both Rosalie and Kenny struggled with striving to “earn” approval from others and ultimately God. Can you think of examples of this from the book?

11. Have you ever struggled to earn acceptance rather than rest in unconditional love?

12. How did Rosalie and Kenny finally resolve this?

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA THE DAY HAS COME!

To mark this exciting day, I'm returning to Rosie the Riveter. Our character Rosalie is a riveter for Boeing in Seattle making B-17 bombers. I dedicated my part of the book to all the Rosies:

"To the Rosie the Riveters of World War II who left the comfort of their homes to brave strenuous and unfamiliar jobs in the national pursuit of victory. Your strong arms played a mighty role in preserving the freedom we now enjoy."

The Rosies signed a Victory Pledge.

"Realizing my importance as a Victory worker to my country and its cause, I solemnly pledge that to the utmost of my ability I will: Allow nothing to keep me from my job; Make the fullest productive use of time, tools, material; Use my ingenuity to develop shortcuts speeding vital output; Guard my own health and safety and that of my fellow workers; Co-operate with our Employee-Management war production drive committee to aid my departmet and my plant in producing on time and in plenty the weapons of Victory."

Pretty awesome. What else can I say?

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA COUNTDOWN 3 More Days!

Family movie night might be the staple for our generation, but during the War years, radio was the big ticket! Imagine gathering in the living room sitting in front of the big wooden box and bonding over Abbot and Costello or Dick Tracy. Sounds like fun to me!

One of my favorites from this time is the classic Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" So funny! Click the link to watch a video version.

I love the old radio shows simply because they allow you to use your own imagination to visualize the scenario. Those comics, actors, writers, and producers were extremely clever.

Here's a link to an awesome Web site with lots of shows you can listen to. Do yourself a favor and instead of movie night, gather round the computer and listen to a few. Your family will love it! Radio Lovers.

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA COUNTDOWN! 7 More Days!

"You call this a happy family? Why do we have to have all these kids?" This quote from It's a Wonderful Life cracks me up. We remember Jimmy Stewart for his movie roles, but did you know he was a decorated bomber pilot in WWII as well? He flew 20 combat missions, won 3 silver stars, and was ultimately promoted to Brigadier General! Who knew?

When he signed up, he was five pounds under the weight requirement, so he rushed home and ate everything fattening he could find, then went back and was allowed to sign up. It was just in time, because he almost missed the cut-off for flight school.

What I love even more is that on his missions Jimmy Stewart carried a copy of Psalm 91 given to him by his father. He said, "What a promise for an airman. I placed in His Hands the squadron I would be leading. And, as the psalmist promised, I felt myself borne up."

I found lots of cool old pictures of Jimmy Stewart on this site. Good info. too.

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA, COUNTDOWN! 13 Days to Go!

More about Rosie the Riveter. She's just so awesome I had to share more! Did you know Rosie the Riveter wasn't a real person? It all started with a song, "Rosie the Riveter." Listen to this and watch the video. It's short and has some great footage or those awesome Rosies building airplanes, tanks, and ships! More about how she became an icon tomorrow. Yea for Rosie the Riveter(and Rosalie Matthews in Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington!).

Oh, and if you have any Rosie stories--about grandmas or friends--PLEASE share!