Teaching WWII Through Legends and Steampunk: Why Homeschool Families Love Breath of Bones

Audio By Carbonatix

It all started with the Golem.

I’ve been fascinated by the Jewish legend since my first visit to Prague. In my 20s, I knew about the Holocaust from high school, although looking back, what I knew was vague at best. Many Jews died in concentration camps. It was heartbreaking. But what I didn’t understand at the time was that the persecution of the Jews during the 1930s and 1940s was nothing new. It was simply the latest chapter in a much longer, darker story.

This morning, I was reading a study on medieval Jewish-Christian relations (yes, I subscribe to academia.edu and enjoy reading scholarly papers with my morning coffee), and this line stopped me cold:

Were you taught this in school? I wasn’t.

In 2001, John and I traveled to Europe with friends. We flew into Frankfurt and visited the Jewish Museum there. I remember standing in front of a model of a 15th-century Jewish ghetto—my jaw dropped. “Wait, this wasn’t just during the Holocaust?” The reality hit me hard: centuries of exclusion, suspicion, and brutal oppression had paved the way for the atrocities of the 20th century.

In the Middle Ages, the Christian viewpoint painted Jews as the ultimate villains. They were blamed for the death of Christ, and rumors swirled about dark rituals—blood libel, well poisoning, and alliance with the devil. These fabrications led to horrifying pogroms and expulsions across Europe.

Which brings us back to the Golem.

According to legend, in 16th-century Prague, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, known as the Maharal, created a creature out of clay from the banks of the Vltava River. This creature, the Golem, was brought to life using mystical Hebrew incantations, particularly by inscribing the word emet (meaning “truth”) on its forehead. Its purpose? To defend the Jewish community from rising anti-Semitic violence and false blood libel accusations.

The Golem’s tale is more than folklore. It’s a cultural response to terror and trauma. A desperate people imagining justice rising from the earth when no one else would defend them.

It was from this legend that the idea for Breath of Bones was born, a World War II fantasy novel I wrote with my son, Nathan. We were captivated by the Golem’s symbolism: a protector made of clay, summoned in a time of need. As we talked, the story began to take on new life in our imaginations. What if the Golem were reawakened during World War II? What if an ordinary Jewish boy and his grandfather called upon ancient truths to stand against unimaginable evil?

That “what if” became the heartbeat of Breath of Bones.

We set the story in Nazi-occupied Prague and wove in real historical events. From secret newspapers to hidden resistance efforts, everything in the book is grounded in truth. We even included actual newspaper clippings from the 1930s and 1940s. But we added something else too—something to spark the imagination of younger readers: steampunk.

Yes, Breath of Bones features flying airships, Nazi spider tanks, and clunky, steam-driven machines that match the intensity of the battle between good and evil. Because sometimes, history becomes more accessible when the imagination helps open the door.

A Takeaway for Homeschool Families: Pass Down History Through Story

Breath of Bones is a thrilling novel. It is also an incredible way for parents and older teens to explore real history together. It opens up conversations about Jewish identity, WWII, prejudice, courage, and faith. And it invites readers to ask hard questions: What does it mean to fight back? Where does true strength come from? What can we learn from those who came before us?

If you’re looking for a unique read-aloud or shared book study for your homeschool family, this is a great place to start.

Breath of Bones & Flight of Fate

And the journey doesn’t stop there—book two, Flight of Fate, continues the story with even more surprising (and historically rich) twists: mystical cups, a WWII-era eruption of Mount Vesuvius affecting Pompeii, and the shadowy reach of the Italian mafia. It’s packed with real history and wild imagination—exactly the kind of book that keeps teens turning pages.

Because when we pass down stories, we pass down truth. And when we read together, we remember together.

Homeschool Companion Discussion Guide

How to Use This Guide:

This discussion guide is designed to spark meaningful conversations between parents and teens (or within homeschool groups) as you explore the story, history, and themes of Breath of Bones and Flight of Fate. You can use one question per chapter, per week, or as a wrap-up discussion.

Each section includes:

• Think Deeply questions
• Talk About It prompts
• Truth to Explore (biblical or historical reflection)
• Creative Activity or Writing Prompt
  

Breath of Bones Discussion Questions

1. Think Deeply:

• What does the legend of the Golem represent to the people of Prague?
• Why do you think stories of protectors rise during times of fear?
  
  Talk About It:
• Have you ever felt like the world was unfair or unjust? How did you respond?
  
  Truth to Explore:

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” —Psalm 9:9 (NLT)

• How can God’s strength look different than the strength we read about in myths or stories?
  
  Creative Prompt:
• Draw or describe what your own “protector” would look like if you were facing an enemy. What values would it embody?

2. Think Deeply:

• Why is it important that the Golem is created from clay, something simple and earthly?
  
  
  Talk About It:
• The characters in Breath of Bones must make quick decisions in uncertain times. Talk about a time you had to act with courage.
  
  Truth to Explore:
• Read about Jewish resistance movements during WWII. Why do these stories matter? What can we learn from them today?
  
  Creative Prompt:
• Write a short diary entry from the perspective of the boy in the story. How does he feel after the Golem awakens?

Flight of Fate Discussion Questions

Think Deeply:

• The mystical cups add a spiritual and symbolic element. What might they represent?
  

Talk About It:

• This book introduces the Italian mafia and the eruption of Pompeii during World War II. Did you know those were real historical events? How does the mix of fiction and history impact your learning?
  

Truth to Explore:

“The truth will set you free.” —John 8:32 (NLT)

Discuss how discovering truth—either in history or faith—helps guide our actions.

Creative Prompt:

• Create a “WWII Mysteries Map.” Mark key real events in the book and research one fact about each location.

Final Reflection Questions (Both Books)

1. How does Breath of Bones use fantasy to tell the truth about real history?
   
2. What lessons about courage and identity can we take from these characters?
   
3. If you could ask the Golem one question, what would it be?
   
4. What surprised you the most about the true events woven into these stories?
   
5. How does reading these novels help you better understand history, and your role in shaping the future?
   

Bonus Activity: Create Your Own Story-Based History Project

Choose a real event from WWII (or another era you’re studying). Write your own short story, comic panel, or script that combines:

• One real historical event
• One fictional or mythical element
• One strong personal value (like courage, justice, or sacrifice)

Want to bring Breath of Bones and Flight of Fate  into your homeschool history study? Check your local bookstore, Amazon, or your favorite novel retailer. Let history come alive—one powerful story at a time.