"It's hard not to believe what your parents believe."

This quote, from Avi's City of Orphans, is a reply from thirteen-year-old Maks, when asked by Willa is he believes what his "old-country-Danish" parents believe.

I couldn't help but stop and reflect on this quote.  After all, I must agree as being in my thirties I sometimes find myself support certain things just because my Dad would support it. But, I have to concede that there comes a time in any young person's life when she must decide and evaluate the beliefs she has been raised with and wonder if she believes the same thing.

For this reason, I think this quote would make for a great discussion and even written response by students to see what their thoughts are on this idea.  Even more so, it would give students an opportunity to reflect what they believe and WHY they believe it. 

Any thoughts from you?