Characters
This character ate the “Unknown Taco” and immediately regretted it.
Who is Gavin?
The family is traveling to this city for the funeral.
What is Laredo?
The story takes place during this holiday season.
What is Christmas?
Carlos wants to ride with David and Ricky because he desires this from them.
What is acceptance / to feel included?
The Unknown Taco is a rite of passage for which group?
What is the men of the Herrera family?
This person is known as the family troublemaker and taught Carlos funny phrases.
Who is Cousin Ricky?
What does Aurora call the slow circular cumbia dance everyone does at the chapel?
What is “the walking dance”?
This cultural dance is featured heavily in the funeral celebration.
What is the cumbia?
Gavin struggles with feeling like this within Aurora's family.
What is an outsider/ not accepted?
Gavin eats the taco even though he should not because he fears being labeled this.
What is a wuss?
Carlos admires this uncle because he can do a hundred push-ups with Carlos on his back.
Who is Uncle David?
Carlos rides to Laredo with these two family members, causing chaos.
Who are Uncle David and Cousin Ricky?
Cars entering Laredo pass this security feature that looks military.
What is a border patrol checkpoint?
The dancing at the funeral shows the family’s way of dealing with grief. What theme does this support?
What is community and connection during loss/ support?
Who actually made Gavin’s taco, making it “not official”?
Who is Uncle David?
This character comforts Carlos when he breaks down crying at the funeral.
Who is Grandma Cookie?
What dangerous animal-like creature does Esme mistake for a baby dinosaur on the road?
What is an armadillo?
Grandma Cookie uses this item to protect Carlos from the evil eye.
What is a raw egg?
Baker’s use of both humor and sorrow at the funeral suggests that grief is this.
What is a mix of emotions / both joyful and painful?
One ingredient in Gavin’s taco that almost destroyed him.
What are jalapeños?
This deceased family member brings everyone together for the chapel service.
Who is Aunt Melchora?
Carlos breaks down emotionally at the funeral after realizing this truth.
What is that Aunt Melchora is actually dead?
Ricky warns Carlos to stay away from this mysterious relative known for strange “bruja” behavior.
Who is Aunt Bea?
By the end, Gavin realizes he can connect with Aurora’s family through this symbolic action.
What is joining the walking dance?
What does Gavin ultimately learn from the Unknown Taco experience?
What is that trying too hard to impress can backfire and connection takes time?