The Book of Unknown Americans
What country did Mayor's family leave?
Panama
What country did Maya's family come from?
Kazakhstan.
What type of media is New Immigrants Share Their Stories?
A documentary.
Where is the International High School at Prospect Heights located?
Brooklyn, New York.
What is a theme?
A message about life or human nature that an author develops throughout a story.
Why did Mayor's family leave Panamá and move to the United States?
Conditions in Panamá had become severely damaged, and the family believed the United States would provide a better life.
Why does Maya frequently have to translate for her parents?
Her parents speak only a little English, so Maya helps them communicate at places such as school, stores, and the doctor.
What is the Building Bridges project?
It is a collaboration between students at Newcomers High School in Queens and their "buddies" at St. Luke's in Manhattan.
Who does the school primarily serve?
Recent immigrants and refugees to the United States.
What is characterization?
The way an author reveals a character's personality traits and perspectives. Authors can use a character's thoughts, speech, actions, appearance, and what other characters say or do.
What is the main conflict the Toro family faces throughout the excerpt?
They repeatedly want to visit their home country of Panamá but are unable to make the trip.
What is one major conflict Maya faces in the story?
Maya struggles between her family's expectations and her desire for more freedom and independence in American life.
What did the students use to share their immigration stories?
They used letter writing, video diaries, and interviews.
What does the title "A Common Bond" refer to?
It refers to the connections students make with one another despite coming from different countries and having different backgrounds.
What two things should you use to make a strong inference?
Text evidence + your own reasoning.
Why does Mayor struggle with his identity?
He feels more American than anything else, but other students question whether he is really American because he was born in Panamá and his family is Panamanian.
Why does Maya change some of the principal's words when translating for Papa?
She changes the translation because she is afraid of Papa's reaction and wants to protect Nurzhan.
What was one major purpose of the Building Bridges project?
The students hoped to learn about one another and change stereotyped ideas about immigrants.
Why does Lobsang describe the school as being "like a family"?
He has friends from many different countries and feels connected to them even though they have different cultures and backgrounds.
Name the five stages of plot.
Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution.
How does the author develop the idea that a person can have more than one place they consider home?
Mayor and his family build a life in the United States while still feeling connected to Panamá. The family misses Panamá, remembers their experiences there, and continues to identify with both places.
How does Nurzhan change throughout the story?
At first, Nurzhan causes problems and is involved in a fight, but later he becomes more responsible and supportive. He ultimately helps Maya get permission to attend the dance.
Why is a documentary an effective way to share immigrants' personal stories?
A documentary can allow viewers to see and hear real people sharing their experiences, making their stories more personal and helping viewers understand different perspectives.
According to Lobsang, what is one benefit of attending a school with students from many different countries?
Students share their problems and stories, which gives them more information and helps them understand the world better.
If a question says "Cite evidence from the text," what does that mean you need to do?
Use specific details, examples, or quotations from the text to support your answer.