Chapter 1
Who is Cecile?
The mother of the three girls.
Why is the chapter called Golden Gate Bridge?
That is what the saw outside of the window in the plane when they were in the air.
Why does Delphine think Cecile looks like a secret agent?
Because she is dressed like an agent would be: in black dress pants, black sunglasses, a hat, a scarf over her head etc.
Who lives in the green stucco house?
Cecile
Who is "Mean Lady Ming"?
She is the woman who owns the nearby Chinese restaurant where the girls are sent to order food
Where are the girls' traveling to?
Oakland, CA
What is the setting of chapter 2?
The airplane.
She hates it and doesn't think the word matches the definition
What grade is Vonetta, the middle sister, in?
4th Grade
Why is Delphine hesitant to hand over the money Pa gave her to Cecile when she asked for it?
Delphine wants the money for the girls to go to Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth.
What is each sister's name?
Delphine, Vonnetta, and Fern
What is the name of the flight the girls are on?
Boeing 727
What does the white woman give one of the sisters at the airport?
She gave Fern some coins, which Delphine has strong objections to.
Who appears to be the narrator of the story?
Delphine
Why does Cecile tell the girls to bring back paper plates?
Because they are not allowed in the kitchen and she doesn't want them to dirty the dishes.
What high expectation of the girls' does Big Ma have in Chapter 1?
To behave and not embarrass black people.
How old is Delphine?
She is 11 years old.
Why does Delphine think that Cecile is a "mother" and not a "mommy" or "mom"?
She thinks this because though Cecile did indeed give birth to them, she has not been around to raise them and they don't really know her.
What type of relationship do you think the two younger sisters have with each other based on what we've read so far?
They don't get along so well as they are always fighting and arguing over things.
Why is it so surprising that Vonetta is the one steps up and orders the food even though "Mean Lady Ming" asks them to leave?
Why is the Chapter called Cassius Clay clouds?
It is figurative language for the turbulence on the plane ride. The plane ride was bumpy and rough like Muhammad Ali or "Cassius" would be in a fight.
Why do you think Delphine is the only one allowed to have a Timex watch?
Possibly because she is the oldest and most responsible sister.
Why does Delphine tell her sisters to pretend like she is not her real age on the bus ride from airport?
Because she overheard Cecile tell the bus driver that all of them were 10 and under, meaning they would ride for free.
What does Delphine think about Cecile as a person so far?
Delphine thinks Cecile is crazy and doesn't want the girls there.
How does Delphine feel about Oakland, CA so far?
Because it has been mostly negative experiences so far, she doesn't like it very much and wants to go back home.