Characters
What are the names of all 3 sisters?
Fern
Vonetta
Delphine
What year does the book take place
1968
What did the girls expect from Ceclie
Vonetta and Fern expected hugs and kisses but not Delphine
What lesson might the author want readers to learn about family?
Families can be complicated, and love isn’t always shown the same way
or another lesson that makes sense.
Who do the girls go to visit in Oakland?
Their mother, Cecile
Where do the sisters travel from and to?
From New York to California
What did big ma say about Cecile
that Cecile wasn't good
Why might Cecile act secretive around her daughters?
She’s hiding something about her life or feelings
What do the sisters call their grandma?
Big Ma
What do the girls notice about Cecile’s house?
It’s messy and filled with papers and a printing press
What word best describes Delphine?
Responsible or brave
What clues show that Delphine is brave?
She stays calm and strong even when Cecile is cold
How does Cecile act when she first sees the girls?
Cold and distant
What rule does Cecile give the girls when they arrive to her house?
Don’t go into her kitchen or touch anything
How does Cecile act when she first sees them?
Cold and distant
How does the author make readers feel sympathy for the girls?
By showing their hope and disappointment when Cecile rejects them
Why does Delphine call Cecile a “secret agent mother”?
Because Cecile acts mysterious and doesn’t want anyone to know they’re her daughters
How does the setting make the girls feel?
Uncomfortable and unsure—it’s unfamiliar to them
How do the girls feel when Cecile doesn’t hug them?
Disappointed or confused
What does Chapter 3 show about how people can act when they have been hurt or are afraid to show their feelings? Use examples from Cecile’s behavior.
It shows that sometimes people act cold or distant because they have been hurt or don’t know how to show love. Cecile pushes her daughters away, not because she doesn’t care, but because she has her own pain and secrets.