Chapter 1
Which girl was worried about failing her math test?
Seema
What does Hafsa wish she could buy for Miss Sadia?
A bell to signal the end of class.
Where do Amal and Omar secretly meet?
By the small stream in their village.
What happens at the beginning of this chapter that causes Amal to run home?
Her mother is in labor (having the baby)
What is the big event happening in Amal’s family in this chapter?
Amal’s mother gives birth to a baby girl.
What are Amal and Seema excited about in the beginning of Chapter 6?
To return to school. They'd taken last week off to help with the baby and chores, and they're both ready to return.
What type of conflict is Amal experiencing when she's realizing there's too many chores for her to return to school on Monday?
I'll accept several answers for this.
What does Amal’s conversation about the math test with Seema reveal about their relationship?
It shows that Amal is a supportive older sister who encourages Seema when she doubts herself.
Why does Hafsa feel frustrated about learning constellations?
She wants to be a doctor, not an astronaut, and doesn’t see the point in learning about stars.
What type of book does Omar give Amal?
A book with a collection of poems.
Why is Amal worried when she sees her mother in bed?
Her mother looks pale and weak, and the birth is happening earlier than expected.
Amal comes up with 4 name suggestions for the baby. Name ONE of them.
Shifa, Maha, Maaria, and Lubna
What does the baby do that makes Amal think the baby is going to be happy?
She smiles in her sleep.
What is a Minaret?
A tall, thin tower on a mosque. A minaret has a platform near the top from which a person calls Muslims to prayer.
Why does Amal enjoy staying after school with Miss Sadia?
She likes spending time with her and helping out because she dreams of becoming a teacher.
How does Amal’s curiosity differ from Hafsa’s attitude toward learning?
Amal wants to learn about everything, while Hafsa only cares about knowledge that applies to her future career.
Why does the narrator’s mother say she shouldn’t spend so much time with Omar?
Because she is no longer a little girl, and people might gossip.
Who is Rahela Bibi? Provide the name and details of her job.
She is a midwife at Amal's house helping Amma give birth.
Why do Amal’s parents react sadly when they find out the baby is a girl?
Amal realizes that in her culture, having a boy is more valued. Her parents wanted a son, and although they don’t seem disappointed in the baby, they are sad because of societal expectations.
In Chapter 6, we realize that a common annoyance happens in the village that Amal lives in often. What is it? It affects everyone that lives there and it usually happens for several hours at a time.
The electricity is turned off, making it hot and there are no lights.
Which character offended Amal and Seema in Chapter 6, and what did she say?
Fozia Auntie offended them by saying "it's a shame though, I thought it would be a boy this time"
What did Miss Sadia ask Amal to help her with next week?
Encouraging Hafsa to give poetry a chance.
What does Hafsa believe a mother’s backache means?
That she is going to have a boy.
What is Omar’s big news?
He got into Ghalib Academy, a prestigious boarding school, with a full scholarship.
What happens when Amal appears in the room when her mom is giving birth? There are TWO things I'm looking for here.
She is sent away by her mom because girls her age aren't supposed to be in the birthing room; Parvin arrives and insists that Amal go take care of Safa and Rabia.
Amma is what Amal and her sister's call their mother (similar to calling our parents mom/dad). What is her real name? Dad says it when he encourages the girls to go inside to see her.
Mehnaz
Who is the new character that arrives in Chapter 6, how is she related to all of the characters and what does she bring with her?
You must answer ALL 3 to get this correct.
Fozia Auntie (Hafsa's mom)
She brings jalebis.
What is a Chador?
A big piece of cloth that covers the head and body, leaving an opening for the face.
How does Amal’s perspective on her ordinary life foreshadow events to come?
She reflects on not appreciating her life enough, hinting that something will happen to change it dramatically.
Omar rides by on his bike and rings his bike bell 3 times. What does this indicate to Amal?
3 chimes meant something important.
How does Omar’s acceptance into Ghalib Academy contrast with Amal’s situation?
Omar is given a chance to study at a prestigious school, while Amal’s future is uncertain due to her family responsibilities and societal expectations.
Fill in these 3 blanks:
Rabia was ____________ years old, and Safa was ______ years old, but they looked like ______with their black curls and dimples.
Rabia was four years old, and Safa was three years old, but they looked like twins with their black curls and dimples.
At the end of Chapter 5, Amal said her parents didn't look disappointed the baby wasn't a boy, they looked really _____________. This is proven when Amal says her mom's eyes are _________.
Sad.
Red.
Chapter 6 ends sadly for Amal. Why? What does she realize?
Because Amma is still in bed after giving birth, she isn't able to help with the house chores. There is a lot of laundry, and Parvin can only do so much, and she's been grocery shopping. As the oldest daughter, Amal is realizing she will have to miss school tomorrow to keep up on the household chores.
What type of figurative language is this sentence:
"The sun beat down on us, unrelenting and fierce."