The Book of Unknown Americans

Which Notice & Note signpost could be used to analyze the following passage:

• Again and Again

• Memory Moment

• Words of the Wiser

• Tough Questions

Which statement best describes the narrator’s internal conflict in the story?

• The narrator is pressured by his family about feeling Panamanian and by his peers about not being American, yet he feels more American than Panamanian.

• The narrator implies feeling confused when his family appears proud to become American citizens at the courthouse.

• The narrator discusses feeling more American than Panamanian, yet his father gets angry when accused of being an American.

• The narrator states that he cannot remember anything about living in Panama like his brother who reminisces about his memories.

“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 Panama because he now knows that his classmates are angry that he left.

• The father misunderstands what the class president is trying to say and assumes that he is jealous that the father left Panama and became an American citizen.

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

• The class president accuses the father of being better than everyone who stayed in Panama because the father left and became an American citizen.

What is the EFFECT of this happening?

• The narrator’s father realizes he doesn’t belong in Panamá anymore.

• The family makes a life in their new home and does not want to move again

• The last trip that is planned to visit Panamá is canceled.

Which is a possible theme from The Book of Unknown Americans?

• If you love something, let it go.

• Cheaters never win.

• Don't worry about what others think about you.

• Always try your best.

Which happens AFTER the narrator explains the story of when his family left Panama?

• The family members become American citizens.

• The narrator’s father finds out how his high school classmates feel about him leaving Panama.

• The narrator’s father takes them to the beach to remember Panama.

Which sentence best foreshadows that the family will NOT return to Panama?

• They needed to believe they’d done the right thing and that it made sense.

• Enrique was in school, and I started too.

• But while they waited for that day, they started making friends.

• And before they knew it, we had a life here.

This is what the author is trying to convey to the reader.

• counterargument

• persuade

• author's purpose

• theme

What does the word square mean as it is used in the quote?

• a shape with four equal sides

• directly; straight

• to multiply a number by itself

• an open area surrounded by buildings in a city

"The other men on the site started running over, asking what had happened, offering to help. Without a word, Arturo cut through them all, cradling Maribel, trying to keep her still..." (page 101).

What does the word cut mean as it is used in the quote?

• to divide into pieces with a knife

• a long, narrow incision in the skin made by something sharp

• to make an opening in something

• to use scissors to create more than one piece