CHARACTERS
This character is the protagonist who moves to Delaware for her daughter’s education
Who is Alma Rivera?
The Rivera family emigrates from this country
What is Mexico?
This theme is evident in the Riveras’ struggle to adjust to life in the United States
What is the immigrant experience?
"We are the unknown Americans."
Who are the diverse immigrant characters in the novel?
Maribel’s notebook is a symbol of this.
What is her progress and communication?
This character suffered a traumatic brain injury in a ladder accident.
Who is Maribel Rivera?
Mayor Toro’s family is originally from this country.
What is Panama?
Mayor’s desire to be different from his brother reflects this theme.
What is individuality versus family expectations?
"Sometimes it feels like we’re invisible."
What is the struggle of immigrants to be seen and understood in American society?
The use of multiple narrators symbolizes this.
What is the diversity of immigrant experiences?
This Panamanian boy falls in love with Maribel
Who is Mayor Toro?
The title reflects this group of people living in America.
What are immigrants?
The prejudice faced by the characters highlights this overarching societal issue.
What is racism and xenophobia?
"Love can sometimes be a lie we tell ourselves."
What is Mayor’s reflection on his relationship with Maribel?
This major tragedy occurs near the end of the novel
What is Arturo Rivera being killed by Garrett's father?
This character is the landlord of the apartment complex where the Riveras live
Who is Fito?
The novel highlights this aspect of American society that immigrant families often confront.
What is systemic discrimination?
Alma’s feelings of guilt tie into this recurring theme.
What is sacrifice and responsibility?
"All of us had a story we wanted to tell."
What is the significance of the multiple perspectives in the novel?
This character serves as a representative of systemic racism and causes turmoil in the Rivera family.
Who is Garrett Miller?
This is the year when Cristina Henríquez published The Book of Unknown Americans.
What is 2014?
The connections between families in the apartment complex represent this theme.
What is community and belonging?
"This country, it breaks my heart sometimes."
What is Alma’s reflection on the challenges of living in the U.S.?
This moment represents a turning point in Alma and Maribel’s relationship.
What is when Alma realizes she has underestimated Maribel’s ability to think and feel independently?