Characters
When a car mysteriously disappeared from the motel, the police suspected that this person stole it.
Hank
According to our notes, what is the biggest problem Mia and her family face?
Being poor immigrants
Mia's parents repeatedly state that they are immigrants and that they must accept their _____________.
Fate
Bonus (additional 100 points): Describe the differences between Mia's perspective of America and her parents perspective of America.
What social issue does Hank's biggest problem teach us about?
Racism
Kelly Yang uses this to show how Mia's life in China compares to Mia's life in America.
Flashbacks
This character is the cable repair man at the Calavista Motel.
Jose
True or False: There is just one plot line in the book Front Desk.
False
Bonus (extra 100 points): Give a summary of two plot/story lines in the book.
What metaphor (comparison) does Mia's mom use to compare Mia's English to a native speakers English?
bike (Mia) vs car (native speakers/other kids)
What is the definition of a social issue?
A problem/issue that many people in our community/country/word currently face.
Kelly Yang uses this to show how Mia copes with her feelings and to show that she is still working hard at improving her writing.
She has Mia write letters to people.
Before working at the Calavista mote, this character was an assistant fryer at a Chinese Restaurant.
Mia's dad (Mr. Tang)
Why did Mia's parents come to America?
What metaphor (comparison) does Lupe use to illustrate the path a person is on in life?
a roller coaster
Name 3 social issues explored in Front Desk. Give an example of when each social issue is shown.
(each social issue = 50 pts, each example = 50 pts)
Possible Answers:
Racism/Discrimination - Hank accused of stealing the car
Poverty - Mia's family is below the poverty line and can't afford the hospital bill. They cannot afford health insurance.
Stereotyping - The kids at school make assumptions about Mia and Jason based on the way they look.
When a reader notices a craft move in a story they are reading, what should they ask themselves?
What is the purpose / authors goal for using this craft move?
This character creates many problem for Mia and her family, but also pushes Mia to be more determined and resourceful.
Mr. Yao
True or False: Mia is a citizen of the United States.
False
Bonus (extra 50 points): What part of the story reveals this information?
What is the significance of the blue Yankees hat?
It is the sign to other immigrants that Mr. Yao is at the motel.
The kids in school assume Mia will be good at math. What is it called to make assumptions about someone based on the way they look on the outside?
Stereotyping
Bonus (extra 25 points): give another example of stereotyping
Kelly Yang uses a lot of figurative language in Front Desk. Describe what the following figurative language means:
As we explained our insuranceless situation to him, he looked like he had about as much empathy as a LEGO.
This means that the hospital supervisor did not feel badly for Mia and her family. He did not understand how they felt.
This character(s) gave a tip to Mia.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller
So far, what feels like the "all time low" in Jason and Mia's relationship? (200 pts)
What does Mia believe contributed to this "all time low"? (300 pts)
Jason steals Mia's pencil. Mia thinks Jason stole the pencil because she beat him in the hot seat.
Describe the importance of the following paragraph:
As Hank looked into my eyes, I realized there were reference letters and mean girls. And then there were other things on a whole other level of "you don't understand."
This part is important because it shows that Mia is naive - that there are big things in life that she doesn't understand yet. Mia is starting to realize that she is naive.
Name one social issue explored in Front Desk. Then identify a theme (life lesson) that the story teaches us about the social issue.
Use three pieces of evidence from the text to support this theme.
Teacher will decide accuracy of the theme.
Kelly Yang uses this craft move to remind the reader the importance of money in America.
Repetition