The second part of this book is an excellent viewpoint into Hasan's world, as it opens with the death of his grandmother, and the mourning that comes with it. It gives us a sampling of his culture, as someone in the crowd remarks on the gift that is death, and how it should not be feared, but celebrated. They see death as a necessary part of life, if we are to take part in the positives like joy. We see the tradition of the six day condolence ceremony, as the grieving process is worked through together, beginning very solemn, but eventually coming to terms with the events. Forty days later the mourners would return, including "hired mourners," in order to make the guests more comfortable.
I respect this custom very much, as it allows all those effected to work through the process together, rather then giving them only a formal funeral. It is very reminiscent of the Irish "Wake" tradition, in which the deceased are remembered and celebrated by all members of the community.
The reading also deals with Hasan heading off to school, despite his young age. This is a perilous time for all young people, and the book does well to illustrate that fact.