Chapter 1- Forced Out
1. Where was Francisco Born? Open these maps of Mexico and California to trace the
family's route. Click the back arrow at the upper left of the page to return.
2. What circumstances led the family to leave Mexico? Describe how they left Mexico
and then got to their destination in California?
3. Once in California, what was Francisco afraid of? Did his fear ever become reality?
4. Why did Francisco dread being deported?
5. Describe the family's living conditions. Have you or anyone you know ever
experienced living this way? Whether your answer is YES or NO, explain why.
6. How did Francisco and Roberto feel when la migra (the INS) finally caught up with
them? Write down a few details that show physical and emotional reactions.
7. How did la migra know about Francisco's and Roberto's undocumented status?
Based on the officer's statement and behavior, how would you characterize his attitude
toward them? What might you conclude about this person?
8. When you encounter Spanish words, the meaning is clear from English words that
appear before or after the Spanish term. Find the translations or context clues that
explain the following:
La migra - (p. 1)______________________
Nos agararron, hermanito -(p. 4) _________________________
Carachita - (p. 7) _________________________
Viejo (p. 8) is Mama's term of endearment for _____________.
nopales - (p. 9) _____________________
es rona - (p. 12)_______________________
Que verguenza - (p. 13) ______________________
9. On pages 8 and 9, Mama and Papa see images in the nopales. List the images they
see. Explain how these images reflect the experience they are having at the time.
10. In the cheap, rundown motel, Francisco does something that bothers his
conscience. What does he do and why does it bother him? Write three words that show
how he feels afterwards. (p. 10)
11. A common expression is, "All that glitters is not gold." On page 15 underline an
expression with a similar meaning. What does it refer to?
12. Describe your own reaction to the family's being forced out? What other option did
the family have and why? Explain why they didn't take this other option.
13. After their petition for visas was granted, what did Papa decide the family should
do? What was his rationale for this decision?
Chapter 2- Home Alone
1. Explain the author's feelings implied by "I woke up to the rattling sound of the alarm
clock." (p. 19)
2. On page 20, how does Francisco feel when he is seen by his neighbors emptying his
Folgers coffee can. Why does he feel this way?
3. How did he stop Don Pancho from teasing him about this? What was Papa's reaction
when Don Pancho told him what Francisco had said to him?
3. Why did Francisco feel excited and nervous when he returned to school? (p. 21)
4. Why did Roberto look troubled when he picked Francisco up his first day back at
school? What did the news mean for the two of them? On page 22, underline the two
short sentences that show the disappointment and the burden Francisco feels.
5. Who was Mary O'Neill? Describe her physical appearance and her manners.
6. Where does Mary O'Neill take Roberto and Francisco to dinner? Explain in detail
why Francisco says, "Roberto and I did not enjoy our meal but we had a good time
being with Mary"?
7. What good news did Roberto have when he picked Francisco up from school? Why
was Roberto so happy about this? (p. 26-27)
8. Describe their weekly schedule at this time. What idiom on page 28 shows a pattern
of regular work?
9. What did Roberto do with money leftover after buying groceries and necessities?
What happened to it?
10. Why did this make him feel especially sad?
Chapter 3- Stepping Out
1. Francisco uses a metaphor A metaphor is a way of describing one thing by indirectly
comparing it to something else without using the words like or as (which are used in
similes). Example: Contrary to one economic theory, money does not trickle down from
the wealthy to the poor.
Metaphors might be verbs, nouns, or adjectives. when he says, "I buried my head in my
schoolbooks.? What is the underlying meaning of the sentence? (Hint: He explains it.)
2. How did Francisco manage to get attention and gain some respect among his
classmates? Did they show respect directly or indirectly? Explain.
3. How did Francisco make friends? How is this similar to or different from your own
approach?
4. Of the things kids talked about and did, what did Francisco enjoy the most? Why?
5. When Francisco offered to sing an Elvis song, what was the reaction of his
classmates? (p. 31)
6. Describe Francisco's feelings about their reactions. Highlight or underline the simile A
simile is a way of describing someone or something by comparing it to something else
that is similar in one way or another. Similes use the word like or as. Examples: They
passed by cactuses standing "like poor men stretching out their arms in prayer," or "like
men in surrender." (p. 8) he uses. Make an inference a judgment or logical
conclusion about his character.
7. How did Francisco feel before his performance? Write down the words that show his
feelings. (p. 32)
8. Was Francisco's performance a success or failure? How do you know?
9. Why was Roberto concerned about going to the dance at the Vets Memorial? List his
concerns.
10. Write down words that describe the scene at the Verterans Memorial.
• the music • the lights -
• where the boys and girls were standing • Francisco's insight into this 11. How did Francisco and Roberto learn to dance and why was this important to them?
12. We can infer that Francisco's phone call to Peggy was very awkward not relaxed or
comfortable, embarrassing . List all the reasons why.
13. List all the reasons why Francisco felt awkward at Peggy's house. Why did he think,
"Papá and Mamá would never allow this"? (pp. 39-40)
14. Why do you think Peggy avoided Francisco after he visited her home? Why did
Peggy's mother look the other way?
15. Why did Francisco and Roberto stop going to the dances at the Vets Memorial?