STUDY GUIDE: from The Book of Unknown Americans (Extra Credit)

What is the main conflict throughout the story?

• The Toro family’s inability to return to Panamá

• September 11 attacks in the United States

• The tension between Mayor’s parents

• Disorder in the country of Panamá

Which excerpt from the selection best represents the theme that immigrants are sometimes confused about their identity?

• I was less than a year old when my parents brought my brother and me to the United States. (paragraph 1)

• I spent a lot of time trying to find it in me, but usually I couldn’t. I felt more American than anything, but even that was up for debate. . . . (paragraph 3)

• I let her, too, even though every time she did, instead of comforting me, it only made me more scared. (paragraph 24)

• That year around the holidays we were all miserable. Holidays were always bad. . . . (paragraph 26)

Read these sentences from paragraph 4. They had left their lives once before. They didn’t want to do it again. What theme is suggested by these sentences?

• Moving somewhere new will not make your life better.

• Once you leave a place, people will forget you.

• People should be happy with what they have.

• Starting over in a new place is difficult.

Read these sentences from paragraph 12. “They think we’re Americans now. And maybe we are! Maybe we don’t belong there anymore after all.” What causes the father to make this statement?

• The father regrets leaving Panamá with his family because he now knows that his classmates are angry that he left their country and got a job.

• The class president accuses the father of thinking he is better than everyone who stayed in Panamá because the father left and became an American citizen.

• The class president suggests that American citizenship has no value.

• The father respects the class president and wants to return to Panamá.

Look at the dictionary entry below. froth \ˈfrôth\ n 1. a fit of anger or vexation 2. something unsubstantial or trivial 3. salivary foam released as a result of disease or exhaustion 4. high prices unwarranted by economic fundamentals Which definition most closely matches the way the word froth is used in paragraph 22?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Choose the phrase in the underlined section of the sentence below that uses an ellipsis in the correct place. We always meant to go back to Panamá but the . . . years just passed us by.

• to Panamá but the years . . .

• to Panamá . . . but the years

• to . . . Panamá but the years

• correct as is

How do paragraphs 23–25 advance the plot?

• They introduce conflict between the narrator and his mother.

• They introduce the reason the family takes a trip to the beach.

• They describe the climax in which another obstacle prevents the family from returning to Panamá.

• They resolve the conflict because the family now wants to stay in the United States to support it.

What lesson does the narrator learn when his family goes to the beach?

• Enrique is shallow because he is only concerned about his sneakers.

• His mother likes living in America even though she misses her old home.

• American beaches are more beautiful than beaches in Panamá.

• His parents have moved on from thinking of Panamá as their home.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A: Which word best describes Celia, the narrator’s mother?

• Confused

• Curious

• Expressive

• Stubborn

Part B: Which two excerpts from the story best support the answer to Part A?

• She squealed with delight while he swayed with her . . . (paragraph 7)

• My mom said, “I’ll check my own bag, then.” (paragraph 9)

• “What just happened?” she asked. (paragraph 13)

• . . . I wonder how Cristóbal—wasn’t that the owner’s name?—is doing. Wouldn’t it be nice to find out? (paragraph 21)

• My mom worked herself into a froth all over again, conferring with my tía Gloria on the phone. (paragraph 22)