My grade 5 and 6 students love the book, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. I enjoy reading it to them as well. They constantly have questions and they become aware of difficulties around the world. I get them to do reading response and they make inferences with what they read. I love reading their responses, because it allows me to dig deeper in what they personally think about certain situations. I love that they are engaged in this book and I feel good that they take this serious. Overall, majority of my students really enjoy reading and it’s nice to see that.
It is good that your students are able to understand and connect to others who are experiencing a different lifestyle. Critical thinking and understanding of differences is a learned skill. It is great that you enjoy reading aloud and connecting to the students through the novel.