Plot
Jason asks Mia to meet him privately so that he can confess this.
What is that he likes her?
Mia refuses to pretend she likes Jason simply because it might help her family. This shows that she is this.
What is honest?
“Hank stared at the floor with downcast eyes after hearing the disappointing news.” What does downcast mean?
What is lowered or showing sadness?
Jason confesses his feelings to Mia in this room at school.
What is the auditorium?
This character admits that he likes Mia but runs away after she rejects him.
Who is Jason?
Mia and Lupe investigate this crime because the police unfairly suspect Hank.
What is the theft of the car?
Mia creates a list of possible suspects and calls the police with her evidence. This shows that she is this.
What is resourceful?
“The coach warned the team not to make prejudiced assumptions about people they had never met.” What does prejudiced mean?
What is unfairly biased against a person or group?
Mia and Lupe work on the stolen-car investigation primarily at this location.
What is the Calivista Motel?
This motel resident loses his job after the police question his employer.
Who is Hank?
Mia creates this secret signal to warn immigrant guests that Mr. Yao is at the motel.
What is a Yankees cap on the front desk?
Lupe encourages Mia to enter the contest even after Mia receives a C-minus. This shows that Lupe is this.
What is supportive?
“After hiking all afternoon without lunch, we were absolutely famished.” What does famished mean?
What is extremely hungry?
Aunt Ling fled an exploitative manicure job in this California city.
What is Irvine?
This immigrant manicurist gives Mrs. Tang a manicure.
Who is Aunt Ling?
After receiving an eight-dollar tip, Mia starts using this to raise her essay-contest fee.
What is a tip jar?
Jason mocks Mia’s pajama pants after she rejects him. This shows that he is this.
What is spiteful?
“Amir looked down bashfully when the class praised his painting.” What does bashfully mean?
What is in a shy or embarrassed manner?
Mia places her hidden tip jar in this part of the motel.
What is the front desk?
This weekly lends Mia a dictionary and thesaurus for her thank-you note.
Who is Mrs. T?
Mr. Yao punishes the Tangs for refusing to evict Hank by threatening to do this.
What is deduct Hank’s rent from their paychecks?
Hank calmly explains his tenant’s rights when Mr. Yao attempts to evict him. This shows that Hank is this.
What is knowledgeable or assertive?
“The editor was meticulous, checking every sentence for spelling and punctuation errors.” What does meticulous mean?
What is extremely careful and attentive to details?
Mrs. Douglas returns Mia’s C-minus essay in this setting.
What is Mia’s classroom?
This character tries to make the Tangs pay Hank’s rent until they evict him.
Who is Mr. Yao?