Parachute Kids
Why does Feng-Li want the Intendo Game and Play so badly?
She believes it will help her fit in better at school. Feng-Li deal with bullying and loneliness at school because she's still learning English.
In "Barely Floating," what does Nat do that leaves her feeling embarrassed and "icky"? How do her friends react?
Nat performs synchronized swimming for rich people at their house. She feels objectified by the party attendants, like she is entertainment rather than a person.
Nat's friends are upset with her for doing the performance without telling/inviting them.
What are 2 ways you can reduce your garbage output?
reduce/refuse, reuse, recycle, choosing secondhand/durable, repair before throwing away, compost,
"Tomorrow will be better"
Feng-Li/fortune cookie, Parachute Kids
The main character's cool older cousin who takes care of her outside of school. This character loves makeup and fashion, and they later come out as gay at the end of the book.
Sheila (Barely Floating)
Why does Jessie choose to not tell her parents that she was scammed out of 10k?
She is worried they will see her as a failure and that she is not fit to take care of the family on her own.
Why does Aunt Lupe kick Sheila out of the house? Where does Sheila go?
Aunt Lupe finds out that Sheila is dating a girl and kicks her out due to her Catholic beliefs. Sheila stays with Nat's family.
Name 2 ways that we "get rid" of our garbage (plus 50 points for 3 ways)
Recycling, landfills, incineration, composting (anaerobic digesters), mismanaged waste
"Although all types of waste can cause environmental problems, ____ might be the worst villain in the story of trash." (Name the book AND fill in the blank)
Total Garbage, plastics
This character is the best friend of the main character. They love manga and anime, and are described as shy and nonconfrontational.
Joanne (Barely Floating)
How does Feng-Li take on more responsibility as the novel progresses?
Multiple answers:
-She starts working around the community for money
-She steps up in helping Jessie with the household chores
-She learns to accept her family's situation and make the best of what she has
How does Nat change from the beginning of the book to the end? What helps her remain in control of her feelings?
Nat starts out the book as quick-tempered and hot-headed. She's quick to argue or fight for what she believes is right. By the end of the book, Nat is able to using breathing and meditation to control her feelings and think through her decisions.
What are two things that American corporations did that led to increased waste after World War 2?
-Convinced consumers that disposable = better
-Convinced people that spending money and throwing things out is patriotic
-Made goods cheaply so they would break sooner.
-Social pressure to buy the "in style" thing
-Adding new features to products every year (like the iPhone)
-Packaging items with disposable packaging
"America will be your new home. We brought you here for a better life and opportunities.”
Mr. Lin, Parachute Kids
This character starts the story as hot-headed and quick to fight. By the end of the story, she's able to remain calm and communicate her feelings.
Nat (Barely Floating)
What happened to Ke-Gang in Taiwan that led the family to want to leave? Why does Jessie worry about him once they're in California?
Ke-Gang's friends were involved in a fight with another group of boys, even though he tried to stop it. When running away, Ke-Gang ran into the street and the boy chasing him was hit by a car. Jessie worries that Ke-Gang is involved with another group of bad influences in California--he is distant from the family, coming home late, smoking, and stealing money.
Compare and contrast Nat's mom and Aunt Lupe. What makes them similar and different?
-Nat's Mom and Aunt Lupe both have strict expectations about how girls should present themselves
Different
-Aunt Lupe is a stay at home mom and takes on a more traditional gender role in the household.
-Aunt Lupe does not accept Sheila's identity, Nat's mom does
Explain what the "waste stream" is. What does the "upstream" and "downstream" mean?
The waste stream is all the waste generated when a product is created, used, and thrown away. It is the garbage created on the journey something takes before it becomes trash.
Nat, Barely Floating
This character is a classmate of the main character. She is initially rude to the main character despite their shared identity because she wants to fit in with other kids.
Rebecca (Parachute Kids)
How does being undocumented (not in the country legally) affect the Lin kids? Name 2 examples.
Avoiding asking for help or calling the police.
Jessie getting scammed by "immigration forces"
Mom and Dad having to return to Taiwan when their visas expire, leaving the kids on their own.
Ke-Gang not having health insurance when he goes to the hospital, leading to a high medical bill.
Anything else?
What draws Nat to synchronized swimming? Why do her parents initially tell her no?
(Bonus 50 points: who is Nat's idol in synchronized swimming who she sees in old movies?)
Nat loves the fashion, makeup, and spectacle of syncro. Her parents argue that synchronized swimming promotes one kind of body and type of beauty. They also dislike that the teams are judged on presentation. (Bonus answer: Ester Williams)
Name 2 examples of how trash was disposed of in the past. (bonus 50 points for 3 examples)
City dumps, gutters, carting away garbage, peddlers selling scraps, dumping garbage in the ocean/rivers, pig-keeping, waste reduction (boiling)
"I'm not Chinese, I'm American!"
Rebecca, Parachute Kids
The sibling of the main character has a crush on this character. This character is shown to be a poor influence and the leader of a group of friends. This character rejects the sibling and accidentally injures them.
Pete (Parachute Kids)