Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did the intertwining of personal narratives with the historical context enhance your understanding of the Great Migration? How did the stories of Ida Mae, George, and Robert shape your emotional connection to the broader historical movement?

2. What surprised you most about the motivations, struggles, and outcomes of those who participated in the Great Migration? Did the book challenge or reinforce your understanding of how migration shapes identity?

3. How does Wilkerson’s nonfiction depiction of the Great Migration compare to fictional works you’ve read that deal with similar themes? For example, how do the emotional depth and historical insights of The Warmth of Other Suns align with or differ from works like Richard Wright’s Native Son or Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. What does the concept of the American Dream mean to you, and how has The Warmth of Other Suns influenced your perception of it? Do you think the pursuit of this dream is still relevant today?

2. Wilkerson highlights both visible and invisible forms of racism in the South and the North.